MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Wisconsin’s seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases is once again over 2,000 as a dramatic rise in numbers continues this week.
The state Department of Health Services reported 3,436 new cases on Wednesday, the second day in a row of more than 3,000 cases. The seven-day average rose to 2,110, its highest level since Jan. 16. That metric was up 43% from Sunday, when it stood at 1,474.
Test positivity averaged 8% for the most recent seven-day period.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention map showed all of Wisconsin, except Florence County, in the “high” category for virus transmission. Florence County was listed in the “substantial” category.
The seven-day average of deaths fell slightly, to 13. DHS reported 15 deaths on Wednesday confirmed to be caused by COVID-19.
Since the pandemic began, there have been 690,537 total cases and 7,806 deaths.
Vaccinations as of Thursday reached 56% of the population (3,257,828 people) having received at least one dose and 52.7% (3,066,412) having completed their vaccine series.
Hospitalizations increased slightly on Thursday. The Wisconsin Hospital Association reported treating 1,066 COVID-19 patients, 12 more than on Wednesday but five fewer than a week earlier. Of those, 322 were in intensive care, one more than on Wednesday and five more than a week earlier.
Northeast region hospitals had 125 COVID-19 patients, up nine in a day and 31 over a week. Of those, 31 were in ICUs, up two in a day and three over a week. In the Fox Valley region, there were 91 COVID-19 patients, seven more than on Wednesday and one more than a week earlier. Eighteen of those were in ICUs, up two over both a day and a week.
