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 23, 2020 at 3:00 PM

Two Northwestern Wisconsin residents died from COVID-19, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported Wednesday, Dec. 23.

Price and Taylor counties each reported the death of one resident, respectively. Their deaths bring the total in each county to five in Price County and 14 in Taylor County.

They were among 69 people whose deaths were reported statewide Wednesday, DHS said. The total number of Wisconsinites who have died of COVID-19 is 4,614. Overall, 1% of those who have contracted the virus have died.

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An additional 51 residents of Northwestern Wisconsin tested positive for COVID-19 Wednesday, DHS said.

The new cases were reported as follows: 12 in Douglas County; nine in Washburn County; six each in Price, Sawyer and Taylor counties; four each in Ashland and Bayfield counties; and two each in Burnett and Rusk counties. Iron County's total was reduced by one case Wednesday. Officials have said they will correct errors in the data as they find them.

The new cases were among 2,579 reported Wednesday, bringing the state's overall tally to 463,594, DHS said. The seven-day average of positive cases was 2,685, a figure that has dropped since it reached a high of 6,563 cases on Nov. 18.

DHS secretary-designee Andrea Palm said during a media briefing last week that one reason for the drop in cases since Thanksgiving is less testing being done statewide.

The number of negative tests in the state was 2,309,991, an increase of 6,277 from the previous day.

An additional 164 people were hospitalized because of the virus Wednesday. Across the state, 1,243 people are currently hospitalized because of COVID-19. The total number of people receiving treatment in intensive care units is 260. DHS reported that 81% of the state's available hospital beds are occupied. Overall, 4% of Wisconsinites who contracted the virus have been hospitalized.

Wednesday's report also showed that 92% of the people who have tested positive for the virus have recovered. That means 7%, or 34,862 cases, are currently active.

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