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

August 19, 2020 at 1:25 PM

Three counties reported new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, Aug. 19, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services .

Sawyer County added four new cases, followed by Iron County with two and Douglas County with one, DHS said.

DHS reduced Taylor County's total case count by one Wednesday, putting it at 77 overall cases. Officials have said they will adjust the data as errors are found.

Statewide there were a total of 67,493 positive cases of the coronavirus Wednesday, DHS said, an increase of 663 from the day before. Of the tests reported, 7% were positive. The 7-day average for positive tests was 8%.

Eight additional deaths were reported, putting the overall number of deaths in the state at 1,060, DHS said. Overall, 2% of cases have resulted in death, according to DHS data.

The number of negative tests in the state was 1,084,163, an increase of 8,766 from the day before.

An additional 50 people were hospitalized because of the virus Wednesday, DHS reported. There are currently 369 Wisconsinites hospitalized because of the virus. Overall, 8% of Wisconsinites who contracted the virus have been hospitalized. DHS has said it doesn't know the hospitalization history for 33% of people who tested positive.

Wednesday's report showed that 86% of people who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered. That means about 12%, or 8,171 cases, are active in the state.

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

Ashland County

Active cases: 7
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 30
Total negative tests: 1,871

Bayfield County

Active cases: 10
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 39
Total negative tests: 2,217

Burnett County

Active cases: 13
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 29
Total negative tests: 1,882

Douglas County

Active cases: 35
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 231
Total negative tests: 5,808

Iron County

Active cases: 28
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 92
Total negative tests: 1,284

Price County

Active cases: 3
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 33
Total negative tests: 2,007

Rusk County

Active cases: 5
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 22
Total negative tests: 1,505

Sawyer County

Active cases: 35
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 120
Total negative tests: 3,459

Taylor County

Active cases: 22
Deaths: 2
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 77
Total negative tests: 2,112

Washburn County

Active cases: 25
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 51
Total negative tests: 2,238

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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