COVID-19 in Wisconsin: 2-week case percent change 4th lowest in nation
(Wisconsin Department of Health Services)
(FOX 9) - After nearly two months that saw Wisconsin near the top of the COVID-19 case percent change list, the state is now near the bottom.
According to CDC data analyzed by NBC News, Wisconsin saw the fourth lowest percent change over the last two weeks as compared to the prior two weeks. In the months of September and October, Wisconsin was near the top of that list as COVID-19 cases surged across the state.
Thursday, the percent change compared to the last two weeks was -34 percent.
The decrease in cases follows a decreasing trend in both test positivity average and case increase average statewide over the last week. Thursday, the percent positivity average was 28.7 percent over the last seven days. The 7-day case increase average is 3,770.
The 7-day death average remained at 55 for the third straight day. That average has held steady over the last week while case numbers have declined.
84 percent of COVID-19 beds are full as of Thursday. 1,733 open COVID-19 hospital beds remain open. 21 percent of hospitalized COVID-19 patients are in the ICU.
The pandemic so far
COVID-19 infections can often go undetected and be asymptomatic; laboratory-confirmed tests only represent a fraction of actual COVID-19 cases. A study from the Journal of the American Medical Association estimated that actual cases in some instances were six to 24 times greater than reported cases.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced an indoor mask mandate for people over the age of 5, which he extended until November 21. Face coverings while indoors except at a private residence have been required since Aug. 1.
Evers extended the state's stay-at-home order until May 26, but on May 13, the state Supreme Court blocked the extension, effectively opening all establishments in the state. Hours later, images emerged of packed bars across the state, leading the Governor to call his state "The Wild West." Evers' original "Safer at Home" order went into effect on March 25. In October, a judge did however allow Evers' mask mandate to remain in effect.
On April 4, President Donald Trump approved a disaster declaration for Wisconsin due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This declaration allows for federal funding to be allocated to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations that were impacted by the virus.
For more information, go to the state health department's website.
If you have questions or immediate needs related to COVID-19, you can Text COVID19 to 211-211, visit 211Wisconsin.org or call 211. Call volumes are high, so officials are asking people to be patient and try to use the text or online options first.
If you are experiencing signs and symptoms of COVID-19, health officials advise you to call your health care provider.