MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – COVID-19 spread in Wisconsin has returned to pre-Christmas levels following the omicron variant surge.
The state Department of Health Services reported 1,305 new confirmed cases on Sunday. That was the fewest since 677 were reported on Christmas Day, and the fewest on a non-holiday since 877 were reported on Dec. 4.
The seven-day average of new cases fell to 3,363, its lowest level since Dec. 20.
Test positivity averaged 14.1% over the most recent seven-day period. The last time it was that low was Dec. 23.
There were two deaths reported on Sunday, bringing the seven-day average down to 19, matching a level last seen on Jan. 3.
Since the pandemic began, there have been 1,356,072 confirmed cases and 11,387 deaths.
As of Monday, 63.4% of the state’s population had received at least one dose of vaccine, and 59.6% had completed the vaccine series.
The seven-day average of doses administered fell to 5,844, of which 2,705 were additional or booster doses.
Hospitalizations also continued their decline. The Wisconsin Hospital Association reported treating 1,251 COVID-19 patients, the fewest since Nov. 23. Monday’s number was 20 fewer than Sunday and 328 fewer than a week earlier. Of those, 232 were in intensive care, down 42 in a day and 86 over a week.
Of the 1,512 ICU beds in the state, 10.2% were immediately available.
Northeast region hospitals had 162 COVID-19 patients, 10 more than on Sunday but 30 fewer than a week earlier. Of those, 29 were in ICUs, flat from Sunday and nine fewer than a week earlier. In the Fox Valley region, there were 77 COVID-19 patients, down 21 in a day and 39 over a week. Fifteen of those were in ICUs, five fewer than on Sunday and eight fewer than a week earlier.
