MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Wisconsin COVID-19 case numbers continue to dwindle following the peak of the omicron variant surge.
For the first time in five weeks, not all of the state was listed in the “critically high” category of virus activity by the state Department of Health Services. Sixteen of Wisconsin’s 72 counties, including Kewaunee, Door, Shawano and Oconto, were listed in the “very high” category.
DHS reported 2,953 new confirmed cases on Tuesday. The seven-day average fell to 2,864, its lowest level since Nov. 30.
Test positivity averaged 12.8% for the most recent seven-day period, the lowest level since Dec. 20.
Eighteen new deaths were reported on Tuesday, with the seven-day average dropping to 20.
Since the pandemic began, there have been 1,360,503 confirmed cases and 11,483 deaths.
As of Wednesday, 63.5% of Wisconsin residents had received at least one dose of vaccine, while 59.7% had completed the vaccine series.
The seven-day average number of doses administered was 5,200, of which 2,280 were additional or booster doses.
Overall hospitalizations fell to their lowest level since Nov. 15. The Wisconsin Hospital Association reported treating 1,137 COVID-19 patients, 70 fewer than on Tuesday and 305 fewer than a week earlier. Of those, 220 were in intensive care, down eight in a day and 76 over a week.
Of the 1,531 ICU beds in the state, 8.4% were immediately available.
Northeast region hospitals had 158 COVID-19 patients, five more than on Tuesday but 12 fewer than a week earlier. Of those, 32 were in ICUs, up six in a day but down one over a week. In the Fox Valley region, there were 84 COVID-19 patients, up six in a day but down 13 over a week. Seventeen of those were in ICUs, the same as on Tuesday and five fewer than a week earlier.
