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 15, 2020 at 1:14 PM

Four counties reported new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, Aug. 15, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services .

Sawyer County added nine new cases, followed by Douglas County with six, DHS said. Rusk and Washburn counties each added one new case.

DHS reduced the case counts of Burnett and Taylor counties by one each. Officials have said they will adjust the numbers as errors are found.

Statewide there were a total of 65,056 positive cases of the coronavirus Saturday, DHS said, an increase of 829 from the day before. Of the tests reported, 7.3% were positive. The 7-day average for positive tests was 7%.

Thirteen additional deaths were reported, putting the overall number of deaths in the state at 1,038, DHS said. Overall, 2% of cases have resulted in death, according to DHS data.

The number of negative tests in the state was 1,055,119, an increase of 10,506 from the day before.

An additional 40 people were hospitalized because of the virus Saturday, DHS reported. There are currently 336 Wisconsinites hospitalized because of the virus. Overall, 8.2% of Wisconsinites who contracted the virus have been hospitalized. DHS has said it doesn't know the hospitalization history for 34% of people who tested positive.

Saturday's report showed that 85% of people who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered. That means about 14%, or 8,828 cases, are active in the state.

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

Ashland County

Active cases: 8
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 30
Total negative tests: 1,829

Bayfield County

Active cases: 6
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 32
Total negative tests: 2,057

Burnett County

Active cases: 12
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 27
Total negative tests: 1,789

Douglas County

Active cases: 51
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 218
Total negative tests: 5,616

Iron County

Active cases: 25
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 78
Total negative tests: 1,247

Price County

Active cases: 5
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 32
Total negative tests: 1,968

Rusk County

Active cases: 6
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 22
Total negative tests: 1,457

Sawyer County

Active cases: 40
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 101
Total negative tests: 2,901

Taylor County

Active cases: 29
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 76
Total negative tests: 2,057

Washburn County

Active cases: 28
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 49
Total negative tests: 2,176

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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