MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — After Wisconsin reported its most new coronavirus cases in more than two weeks to close 2020, the state is reporting a sharp decline in new cases and testing to begin the new year.
The Department of Health Services reported 1,905 new cases on Friday, which is 23% of the 8,293 total tests completed. Only 10 new deaths were also reported, 31 fewer than reported Thursday.
Seven-day averages rose to 2,158 new cases, 30.2% test positivity and 27 deaths.
Since the pandemic began, there have been 483,007 confirmed cases, nearly 2.4 million negative tests and 4,869 deaths. DHS considers 450,358 people to have recovered from COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus.
There were no patients at the state’s alternate care facility near Milwaukee on Friday.
Overall hospitalizations also continued their declines Friday. The Wisconsin Hospital Association reported treating 1,010 COVID-19 patients, 36 fewer than on Thursday and 60 fewer than a week earlier. Of those, 227 were in intensive care, down 10 in a day and 11 in a week.
Northeast region hospitals reported 100 COVID-19 patients, the same number as on Thursday and six fewer than a week earlier. There were 28 in ICUs, down two in a day and a week. In the Fox Valley region, there were 51 COVID-19 patients, down one from Thursday but five more than a week earlier. Three of those were in ICUs, down two in a day and the same as a week ago.
