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

November 24, 2020 at 2:06 PM

Six residents of Northwestern Wisconsin counties were among a record number of people statewide whose deaths from COVID-19 were reported Tuesday, Nov. 24, by the state Department of Health Services.

Bayfield and Iron counties each recorded two deaths, while Burnett and Rusk counties reported one each. Their deaths were among 104 reported by DHS Tuesday. The previous record of 94 deaths was set Nov. 17.

The total number of Wisconsinites who have died from COVID-19 is 3,115. Overall, about 1% of people who have contracted the virus in Wisconsin have died, DHS said.

A total of 222 people in Northwestern Wisconsin tested positive for the virus Tuesday. The cases were reported as follows: 38 in Rusk County; 37 in Taylor County; 34 in Douglas County; 31 in Sawyer County; 26 in Ashland County; 22 in Washburn County; 12 in Burnett County; 10 in Iron County; seven in Price County; and five in Bayfield County.

The new cases were among 6,202 reported statewide Tuesday, bringing the total to 363,973, DHS said. The seven-day average of positive cases was 5,732, compared to 727 on Sept. 1, DHS said.

The number of negative tests in the state was 2,104,756, an increase of 10,308 from the previous day.

An additional 279 people were hospitalized because of the virus Tuesday. Across the state, 1,999 people are currently hospitalized because of COVID-19. Overall, about 5% of Wisconsinites who contracted the virus have been hospitalized.

Tuesday's report also showed that 78% of the people who have tested positive for the virus have recovered. That means 21%, or 75,893 cases, are currently active.

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