A model of the novel coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China in late 2019. U.S. health officials have stated that COVID-19 is expected to become a significant public health concern in the United States. (Illustration courtesy of Centers for Disease Control)

By Superior Telegram and Jen Zettel-Vandenhouten

August 12, 2020 at 1:40 PM

Five counties reported new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, Aug. 12, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services .

Douglas County had seven additional cases, followed by Sawyer County with six, DHS said. Taylor County reported two additional cases, while Ashland and Bayfield counties added one each.

Statewide there were a total of 62,263 positive cases of the coronavirus Wednesday, DHS said, an increase of 478 from the day before. Of the tests reported, 4.8% were positive. The 7-day average for positive tests was 6.3%.

Five additional deaths were reported, putting the overall number of deaths in the state at 1,011, DHS said. Overall, 2% of cases have resulted in death, according to DHS data.

The number of negative tests in the state was 1,023,723, an increase of 9,446 from the day before.

An additional 33 people were hospitalized because of the virus Wednesday, DHS reported. Overall, 8.2% of Wisconsinites who contracted the virus have been hospitalized. DHS has said it doesn't know the hospitalization history for 33% of people who tested positive.

Wednesday's report showed that 84% of people who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered. That means about 15%, or 9,305 cases, are active in the state.

Here's a breakdown of the situation in the 10-county region:

Ashland County

Active cases: 7
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 27
Total negative tests: 1,798

Bayfield County

Active cases: 5
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 29
Total negative tests: 2,016

Burnett County

Active cases: 9
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 23
Total negative tests: 1,703

Douglas County

Active cases: 50
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 198
Total negative tests: 5,004

Iron County

Active cases: 28
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 76
Total negative tests: 1,220

Price County

Active cases: 10
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 33
Total negative tests: 1,922

Rusk County

Active cases: 6
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 21
Total negative tests: 1,412

Sawyer County

Active cases: 36
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 82
Total negative tests: 2,870

Taylor County

Active cases: 29
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 73
Total negative tests: 1,983

Washburn County

Active cases: 28
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 47
Total negative tests: 2,107

All of Wisconsin's 72 counties have confirmed cases of the illness.
Visit the Douglas County COVID-19 dashboard or Wisconsin Department of Health Services COVID-19 page for updates.

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