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 24, 2020 at 1:23 PM

Four Northwestern Wisconsin residents died from COVID-19, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported Thursday, Dec. 24.

Bayfield County reported the death of one resident, while Burnett County reported that three people died. Their deaths bring the total in each county to 18 in Bayfield County and 19 in Burnett County.

They were among 60 people whose deaths were reported statewide Thursday, DHS said. The total number of Wisconsinites who have died of COVID-19 is 4,674. Overall, 1% of those who have contracted the virus have died.

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An additional 72 residents of Northwestern Wisconsin tested positive for COVID-19 Thursday, DHS said.

The new cases were reported as follows: 20 in Douglas County; 15 in Taylor County; 11 in Sawyer County; eight in Price County; seven in Bayfield County; three each in Rusk and Washburn counties; two each in Ashland and Iron counties; and one in Burnett County.

The new cases were among 2,799 reported Thursday, bringing the state's overall tally to 466,393, DHS said. The seven-day average of positive cases was 2,564, 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 2,317,710, an increase of 7,719 from the previous day.

An additional 128 people were hospitalized because of the virus Thursday. 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.

Thursday's report also showed that 92% of the people who have tested positive for the virus have recovered. That means 7%, or 33,409 cases, are currently active.

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