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 05, 2020 at 1:25 PM

Douglas County reported two new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, July 5, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

The increase brings Douglas County to 41 cases. The county has a high COVID-19 activity level according to DHS because of the spike in cases over the last 10 days.

The Wisconsin National Guard will return to the area to provide free COVID-19 testing from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, July 10 at the Iron River Community Center, 8275 E. Mill St. People do not need to have symptoms to get tested. All are welcome.

Statewide, there were 31,577 positive cases of the coronavirus Sunday, an increase of 522 cases from the day before. Of the tests reported, 10.4% were positive.

No additional people died from COVID-19, leaving the total number of deaths in the state at 796.

The number of negative tests in the state was 584,111, an increase of 4,474 from the day before.

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

Ashland County

Active cases: 0
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 3
Total negative tests: 914

Bayfield County

Active cases: 0
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 3
Total negative tests: 1,125

Burnett County

Active cases: 2
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 4
Total negative tests: 917

Burnett County last saw an increase in cases on Saturday, July 4.

Douglas County

Active cases: 14*
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 41
Total negative tests: 2,491

*Douglas County's number of active cases were not updated on the DHS website when the Telegram staff checked on Sunday afternoon.

Iron County

Active cases: 5
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 8
Total negative tests: 412

Iron County last saw an increase in cases on Saturday, July 4.

Price County

Active cases: 0
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 2
Total negative tests: 966

Rusk County

Active cases: 2
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 11
Total negative tests: 794

Sawyer County

Active cases: 1
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 12
Total negative tests: 1,875

Sawyer County last reported new cases on June 26.

Taylor County

Active cases: 11
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 15
Total negative tests: 1,056

Washburn County

Active cases: 1
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 4
Total negative tests: 1,183

Washburn County last reported a positive case of COVID-19 on June 19.
Of the people statewide who have tested positive for the new coronavirus, 11% — or 3,586 people — have been hospitalized because of the virus as of Sunday. DHS reported that officials don't know the hospitalization history of 9,699 people, or 31%.

Sunday's report also showed that 79% of those with confirmed cases have recovered from the illness.

Wisconsin's daily testing capacity was 19,014 on Sunday. 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:

5.3% on Monday, June 29
4.7% on Tuesday, June 30
4.3% on Wednesday, July 1
4.2% on Thursday, July 2
5.7% on Friday, July 3
10.8% on Saturday, July 4
10.4% on Sunday, July 5

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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