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 21, 2020 at 1:16 PM

Ashland, Iron, Price, Taylor and Washburn counties reported new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, July 21, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services .

Iron County reported the highest number of new cases with five, bringing its total to 33, DHS said. The other counties recorded one additional case each.

Statewide there were a total of 44,135 positive cases of the coronavirus Tuesday, DHS said. The increase of 1,117 from the day before is the highest one-day increase Wisconsin has had. The previous high mark was set Saturday at 978 new cases in a single day.

Of the tests reported Tuesday, 7.7% were positive.

Thirteen additional people died from COVID-19, leaving the total number of deaths in the state at 859.

The number of negative tests in the state was 750,562, 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: 4
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 11
Total negative tests: 1,279

Bayfield County

Active cases: 6
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 13
Total negative tests: 1,537

Burnett County

Active cases: 1
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 5
Total negative tests: 1,220

Douglas County

Active cases: 15
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 75
Total negative tests: 3,699

Iron County

Active cases: 19
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 33
Total negative tests: 627

Price County

Active cases: 7
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 14
Total negative tests: 1,324

Rusk County

Active cases: 2
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 13
Total negative tests: 1,050

Sawyer County

Active cases: 4
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 19
Total negative tests: 2,171

Taylor County

Active cases: 21
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 34
Total negative tests: 1,420

Washburn County

Active cases: 3
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 8
Total negative tests: 1,480

Of the people statewide who have tested positive for the new coronavirus, 10% — or 4,194 people — have been hospitalized because of the virus as of Tuesday. DHS reported that officials don't know the hospitalization history of 14,889 people, or 34%.

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

Wisconsin's daily testing capacity was 24,162 on Tuesday. 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:

5.9% on Wednesday, July 15
6.3% on Thursday, July 16
6.6% on Friday, July 17
7.9% on Saturday, July 18
10.3% on Sunday, July 19
10.1% on Monday, July 20
7.7% on Tuesday, July 21

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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