MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Wisconsin saw its most new coronavirus infections in seven weeks as state health officials urged people to keep gatherings small and outdoors this spring and summer.
The state Department of Health Services reported 875 positive tests, or 20.9% of the 4,191 total on Friday. The number of new cases was the highest since Feb. 12, and the rolling seven-day average of 531 was the highest since March 3. The rolling average has increased 46% since falling to 363 on March 11.
Eight more people died of complications of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. The seven-day average of deaths rose to five.
Since the pandemic began, Wisconsin has confirmed 578,587 cases and 6,633 deaths. DHS listed 564,597 people as having recovered from COVID-19.
Cases of more contagious virus variants increased to 149: 139 of the strain first documented in the United Kingdom; eight of the strain first documented in South Africa and two of the strain first documented in Brazil.
The state approached 3 million doses of vaccine administered as of Friday. DHS reported 2,978,088 total doses having been given, with 1,859,640 people (31.9% of the population) having received at least one dose and 1,121,306 (19.3%) having completed their vaccination course. Among people 65 and older, 76.1% had received at least one dose and 61.6% had been fully vaccinated.
Hospitals saw a slight rise in patient counts on Friday. The Wisconsin Hospital Association reported treating 244 COVID-19 patients, five more than on Thursday and 18 more than a week earlier. Of those, 60 were in intensive care, up four on a day and three over a week.
Northeast region hospitals had 32 COVID-19 patients, up one over both a day and a week. Seven of those were in ICUs, up one in a day but down one over a week. In the Fox Valley region, there were 14 COVID-19 patients, a one-day drop of one and a one-week drop of two. ICU counts increased, however, to three: two more than on Thursday but two fewer than a week earlier.
