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

February 15, 2021 at 2:02 PM

An additional 51 Northwestern Wisconsin residents tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported Monday, Feb. 15.

They were reported as follows: 17 in Burnett County; nine in Sawyer County; eight in Douglas County; six in Washburn County; three each in Bayfield, Price and Taylor counties; and two in Iron County. No new cases were reported in Ashland and Rusk counties.

Statewide, an additional 1,668 cases were reported through Monday, DHS said, bringing the total to 555,708.

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Sawyer County reported the death of one resident Saturday, according to DHS, bringing the total number of deaths in the county since the pandemic began to 20.

The person was among 15 people whose deaths were reported statewide through Monday, bringing the total to 6,166, DHS said. Overall, 1% of people who have contracted the virus have died.

The seven-day average of positive COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin continues to drop. On Monday, the figure was 762. The seven-day average of positive cases measures the average number of new cases per day over the previous week. An overall decrease in the seven-day average of positive cases indicates the number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in the state is also going down, according to DHS.

The number of negative tests in the state was 2,568,204, an increase of 11,116 since Friday.

An additional 143 people have been hospitalized because of the virus since Friday. Across the state, 402 people are currently hospitalized because of COVID-19 , and the total number of people receiving treatment in intensive care units is 116. DHS reported that 78% of the state's available hospital beds are occupied. Overall, 4.6% of Wisconsinites who contracted the virus have been hospitalized.

Monday's report also showed that 97% of the people who have tested positive for the virus have recovered. That means 2%, or 10,616 cases, are currently active.

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