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

July 16, 2020 at 1:25 PM

Douglas, Iron, Rusk and Taylor counties reported new cases of COVID-19 Thursday, July 16, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services .

Iron County reported the most new cases with three, bringing its total number of cases to 24. Douglas, Rusk and Taylor counties each reported one new case, bringing their totals to 66, 13 and 26, respectively.

Statewide, there were 39,627 positive cases of the coronavirus, DHS said, an increase of 900 from the day before. Of the tests reported Thursday, 6.3% were positive.

Four additional people died from COVID-19, leaving the total number of deaths in the state at 831.

The number of negative tests in the state was 699,670, an increase of 13,371 from the day before.

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

Ashland County

Active cases: 2
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 8
Total negative tests: 1,083

Bayfield County

Active cases: 5
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 11
Total negative tests: 1,440

Burnett County

Active cases: 1
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 5
Total negative tests: 1,133

Douglas County

Active cases: 20
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 66
Total negative tests: 3,369

Iron County

Active cases: 16
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 24
Total negative tests: 526

Price County

Active cases: 5
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 9
Total negative tests: 1,257

Rusk County

Active cases: 2
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 13
Total negative tests: 987

Sawyer County

Active cases: 2
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 15
Total negative tests: 2,062

Taylor County

Active cases: 16
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 26
Total negative tests: 1,313

Washburn County

Active cases: 2
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 6
Total negative tests: 1,369

Of the people statewide who have tested positive for the new coronavirus, 10% — or 3,968 people — have been hospitalized because of the virus as of Thursday. DHS reported that officials don't know the hospitalization history of 13,012 people, or 33%.

Thursday's report also showed that 77% of those with confirmed cases have recovered from the illness.

Wisconsin's daily testing capacity was 24,362 on Thursday. 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:

6.7% on Friday, July 10
7.7% on Saturday, July 11
10.1% on Sunday, July 12
7.5% on Monday, July 13
6.6% on Tuesday, July 14
5.9% on Wednesday, July 15
6.3% on Thursday, July 16

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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This story was updated at 3:30 p.m. with case totals released by the Douglas County Health Department. It was originally posted at 2:57 p.m.