The state Department of Health Services reported 537 new confirmed cases, or 10.7% of the 5,014 tests done. While that was down from Wednesday’s results, it did push the rolling seven-day average higher, to 459 cases per day.
DHS also warned of the spread of new strains of the virus. Wisconsin has confirmed 69 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant first seen in the United Kingdom, and one case of the B.1.351 first documented in South Africa.
The state also reported two new deaths on Thursday, with the seven-day average falling to six.
There have been 574,436 total cases and 6,599 deaths since the pandemic began. DHS lists 561,078 people as having recovered from COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.
Thursday’s update comes as the state’s weekly dashboard continues to show much of Wisconsin with “high” virus activity. In Northeast Wisconsin, all counties are listed as “high” except Marinette, Shawano, Waushara and Green Lake, which are “medium,” and Menominee and Kewaunee, which are “low.” Waupaca County shows a growing trajectory, while Outagamie County’s is shrinking. All others show no significant change.
As of Thursday, Wisconsin reported a total of 2,516,716 doses of vaccine administered. Statewide, 1,586,619 people, or 27.3% of the population, had received at least one dose, and 917,203 people, or 15.8%, had completed their vaccine course. Among people 65 and older, 73.7% had received at least one dose and 52.2% were fully vaccinated.
