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 07, 2020 at 2:11 PM

Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, Iron, Price and Taylor counties reported new cases of COVID-19 Friday, Aug. 7, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services .

Douglas County added 10 new cases, while Price and Taylor counties reported three new cases each, DHS said. Ashland County recorded two new cases; Bayfield and Iron counties added one new case each. DHS reduced Burnett County's total cases by one Friday. Officials have said they will adjust errors in the data as they find them.

Statewide there were a total of 58,768 positive cases of the coronavirus Friday, DHS said, an increase of 989 from the day before. Of the tests reported, 7% were positive.

Twelve additional people died from COVID-19, putting the total number of deaths in the state at 990.

The number of negative tests in the state was 974,948, an increase of 13,097 from the day before.

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

Ashland County

Active cases: 5
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 24
Total negative tests: 1,709

Bayfield County

Active cases: 1
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 22
Total negative tests: 1,861

Burnett County

Active cases: 10
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 21
Total negative tests: 1,604

Douglas County

Active cases: 43
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 159
Total negative tests: 4,968

Iron County

Active cases: 34
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 74
Total negative tests: 1,170

Price County

Active cases: 7
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 29
Total negative tests: 1,860

Rusk County

Active cases: 4
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 17
Total negative tests: 1,330

Sawyer County

Active cases: 18
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 52
Total negative tests: 2,738

Taylor County

Active cases: 32
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 64
Total negative tests: 1,821

Washburn County

Active cases: 28
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 41
Total negative tests: 1,983

An additional 49 people were hospitalized because of the virus Friday, DHS reported. Overall, 8.4% 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.
Friday's report showed that 82% of people who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered.

Wisconsin's daily testing capacity was 24,156 on Friday. 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:

7.1% on Saturday, Aug. 1
9.6% on Sunday, Aug. 2
5.6% on Monday, Aug. 3
4% on Tuesday, Aug. 4
5.2% on Wednesday, Aug. 5
4.7% on Thursday, Aug. 6
7% on Friday, Aug. 7

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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