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 18, 2020 at 1:35 PM

Six counties reported new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, Aug. 18, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services .

Douglas and Iron counties added each five new cases, DHS said. Sawyer County added three new cases, followed by Bayfield County with two. Burnett and Washburn counties each added one new case.

DHS reduced Rusk County's total case count by one Tuesday, putting it at 22 overall cases. Officials have said they will adjust the data as errors are found.

Statewide there were a total of 66,830 positive cases of the coronavirus Tuesday, DHS said, an increase of 634 from the day before. Of the tests reported, 6.3% were positive. The 7-day average for positive tests was 7.6%.

Thirteen additional deaths were reported, putting the overall number of deaths in the state at 1,052, DHS said. Overall, 2% of cases have resulted in death, according to DHS data.

The number of negative tests in the state was 1,075,397, an increase of 9,357 from the day before.

An additional 53 people were hospitalized because of the virus Tuesday, DHS reported. There are currently 365 Wisconsinites hospitalized because of the virus. Overall, 8% 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.

Tuesday's report showed that 86% of people who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered. That means about 13%, or 8,378 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: 1,865

Bayfield County

Active cases: 10
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 39
Total negative tests: 2,195

Burnett County

Active cases: 13
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 29
Total negative tests: 1,847

Douglas County

Active cases: 41
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 230
Total negative tests: 5,756

Iron County

Active cases: 28
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 90
Total negative tests: 1,271

Price County

Active cases: 5
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 33
Total negative tests: 1,995

Rusk County

Active cases: 5
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 22
Total negative tests: 1,494

Sawyer County

Active cases: 42
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 116
Total negative tests: 3,434

Taylor County

Active cases: 23
Deaths: 2
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 78
Total negative tests: 2,093

Washburn County

Active cases: 26
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 51
Total negative tests: 2,215

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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