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 04, 2020 at 1:48 PM

Wisconsin surpassed 400,000 total cases of COVID-19 Friday, Dec. 4, just 21 days after reaching 300,000 cases, according to the state Department of Health Services.

A total of 4,847 cases were reported Friday, bringing the state's overall tally to 404,555, DHS said. It took the state 18 days to add the previous 100,000 new cases — from 200,000 to 300,000.

The seven-day average of positive cases was 4,102.

In Northwestern Wisconsin, 164 people tested positive for COVID-19 Friday. They were reported as follows: 32 in Taylor County, 26 in Ashland County; 25 in Douglas County; 19 in Bayfield County; 15 in Price County; 14 in Washburn County; 13 in Sawyer County; nine each in Burnett and Rusk counties; and two in Iron County.

Four Northwestern Wisconsin residents died from complications related to COVID-19. Ashland and Sawyer counties each reported one death. Burnett County reported two deaths. The people who died brought the total deaths in the counties since the pandemic began to 10 in Ashland, 15 in Burnett and eight in Sawyer, respectively.

They were among 63 people whose deaths were reported statewide Friday. The total number of Wisconsinites who have died from COVID-19 is 3,625. Overall, about 1% of people who have contracted the virus in Wisconsin have died, DHS said.

The number of negative tests in the state was 2,180,320, an increase of 10,350 from the previous day.

An additional 202 people were hospitalized because of the virus Friday. Across the state, 1,754 people are currently hospitalized because of COVID-19. Overall, 4% of Wisconsinites who contracted the virus have been hospitalized.

Friday's report also showed that 83% of the people who have tested positive for the virus have recovered. That means 16%, or 63,202 cases, are currently active.

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