MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Wisconsin’s new coronavirus cases, total tests done and new deaths reached levels not seen in weeks or months on Thursday.
The state Department of Health Services reported 840 new cases, or 6.4% of the 13,177 tests completed. The new cases were the most since Feb. 11 and tests were the most reported since Dec. 12.
DHS also reported 52 new deaths, the highest single-day total since Jan. 26.
Seven-day averages increased to 632 new cases and 23 deaths.
Since the pandemic began, there have been 562,151 confirmed cases and 6,394 deaths. DHS lists 547,168 people as having recovered from COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.
Thursday’s update comes as the state confirmed the groups eligible for the next phase of vaccinations beginning on Monday. Teachers and child care workers will be at the front of the line.
Overall vaccinations rose to 1,281,901 doses administered as of Thursday. Of those, 842,818 were first doses, covering 14.5% of Wisconsin’s population. The number of people who had completed their two-dose course of vaccinations was 411,717, or 7.1% of the state’s population.
Among people 65 and older, 49.4% had received at least one dose and 16.2% had finished their vaccine series.
Meanwhile, DHS’ weekly dashboard shows declining virus activity over the past two weeks. All Northeast Wisconsin counties were in the “high” category for virus activity, with Brown and Manitowoc counties showing shrinking trajectories. Two Wisconsin counties — Rusk and Bayfield — were in the “medium” category for activity, while four counties — Iron, Burnett, Polk and Green — were in the “very high” category.
Total hospitalizations fell on Thursday. The Wisconsin Hospital Association reported 331 total COVID-19 patients, down 24 since Wednesday and 57 fewer than a week earlier. Of those, 97 were in intensive care, up four in a day, but down 10 over a week.
Northeast region hospitals reported 39 total COVID-19 patients, up two in a day and eight over a week. Twelve of those were in ICUs, unchanged over both a day and a week. In the Fox Valley region, there were 20 COVID-19 patients, three more than on Wednesday and the same number as a week earlier. Three of those were in ICUs, two more than on Wednesday and one more than a week earlier.
