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

December 05, 2020 at 1:38 PM

Four Northwestern Wisconsin residents died from complications related to COVID-19, according to a report from the state Department of Health Services Saturday, Dec. 5.

Rusk County reported the deaths of two residents, while Douglas and Taylor counties each reported one. The deaths bring the totals in each county since the start of the pandemic to 11 in Taylor County, nine in Rusk County and seven in Douglas County, respectively.

The people who died were among 77 whose deaths were reported statewide Saturday. The total number of Wisconsinites who have died from COVID-19 is 3,702. Overall, about 1% of people who have contracted the virus in Wisconsin have died, DHS said.

DHS reduced Price County's number of deaths by one. Officials have said they will correct errors in the data as they find them.

A total of 4,831 cases were reported Saturday, bringing the state's overall tally to 409,386, DHS said. The seven-day average of positive cases was 4,073.

In Northwestern Wisconsin, 213 people tested positive for COVID-19 Saturday. They were reported as follows: 72 in Douglas County; 28 in Burnett County; 27 in Rusk County; 25 in Taylor County; 17 in Washburn County; 15 in Sawyer County; 10 in Bayfield County; nine in Ashland County; and five each in Iron and Price counties.

The number of negative tests in the state was 2,188,949, an increase of 8,629 from the previous day.

An additional 183 people were hospitalized because of the virus Saturday. Across the state, 1,660 people are currently hospitalized because of COVID-19, a number that has been declining. The total number of people receiving treatment in intensive care units is 371. DHS reports that 85% of the state's available hospital beds are occupied. Overall, 4% of Wisconsinites who contracted the virus have been hospitalized.

Saturday's report also showed that 84% of the people who have tested positive for the virus have recovered. That means 15%, or 62,128 cases, are currently active.

Here's the breakdown in the 10-county region: