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

July 23, 2020 at 2:06 PM

Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Price, Taylor and Washburn counties reported new cases of COVID-19 Thursday, July 23, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services .

Douglas County reported five new cases, bringing its total to 82 cases overall. Iron and Taylor counties recorded three new cases each, while Ashland and Price counties each reported two new cases. Bayfield, Burnett and Washburn counties each added one new case Thursday.

Statewide there were a total of 45,899 positive cases of the coronavirus Thursday, DHS said, an increase of 1,052 from the day before. Of the tests reported, 6.9% were positive.

Thirteen additional people died from COVID-19, leaving the total number of deaths in the state at 878.

The number of negative tests in the state was 778,842, an increase of 14,212 from the day before.

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

Ashland County

Active cases: 3
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 13
Total negative tests: 1,486

Bayfield County

Active cases: 5
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 15
Total negative tests: 1,651

Burnett County

Active cases: 2
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 7
Total negative tests: 1,263

Douglas County

Active cases: 22
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 82
Total negative tests: 3,795

Iron County

Active cases: 22
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 40
Total negative tests: 675

Price County

Active cases: 9
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 18
Total negative tests: 1,388

Rusk County

Active cases: 2
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 13
Total negative tests: 1,094

Sawyer County

Active cases: 4
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 19
Total negative tests: 2,244

Taylor County

Active cases: 19
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 37
Total negative tests: 1,456

Washburn County

Active cases: 4
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 9
Total negative tests: 1,525

Of the people statewide who have tested positive for the new coronavirus, 9% — or 4,273 people — have been hospitalized because of the virus as of Thursday. DHS reported that officials don't know the hospitalization history of 15,405 people, or 34%.

Thursday's report also showed that 77% of those with confirmed cases have recovered from the illness.

Wisconsin's daily testing capacity was 24,162 on Thursday. An increase in the number of tests being done is one reason for the increase in the number of positive cases. The percentage of positive tests over the last several days was:

6.6% on Friday, July 17
7.9% on Saturday, July 18
10.3% on Sunday, July 19
10.1% on Monday, July 20
7.7% on Tuesday, July 21
4.8% on Wednesday, July 22
6.9% on Thursday, July 23

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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