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

October 22, 2020 at 1:09 PM

Seventy-four people across all 10 counties in Northwestern Wisconsin tested positive for COVID-19 Thursday, Oct. 22, according to the state Department of Health Services.

The new cases were reported as follows: 18 in Price County; 12 in Taylor County; eight in Douglas County; seven in Iron County; six each in Bayfield and Washburn counties; five each in Ashland and Rusk counties; four in Burnett County; and three in Sawyer County.

They among 3,413 reported in the state Thursday, and bring the state's total to 186,100. The seven-day percentage of positive cases by person was 23%.

An additional 22 people died from the virus Thursday, pushing the total number of deaths since the pandemic started to 1,703. Overall, about 1% of people who have contracted the virus have died, DHS figures show.

The number of negative tests in the state was 1,730,646, an increase of 12,082 from the previous day.

An additional 151 people were hospitalized because of the virus Thursday. There are currently 1,190 Wisconsinites hospitalized because of the virus, a record-high number that continues to climb. Overall, 5% of Wisconsinites who contracted the virus have been hospitalized.

Thursday's report also showed that 78% of the people who have tested positive for the virus have recovered. That means 21%, or 38,852 cases, are currently active.

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