COVID-19 in Wisconsin: State eclipses 150,000 total cases
The state of Wisconsin eclipsed 150,000 COVID-19 cases, according to new data released Sunday. (Wisconsin Department of Health Services)
(FOX 9) - The state of Wisconsin has eclipsed 150,000 COVID-19 cases, according to new data released by the Department of Health Services.
2,676 new cases reported Sunday puts the state at 150,236 total. Over the past seven days, the state has averaged more than 2,500 new cases every day, the highest of the pandemic.
The 7-day percent postive average of COVID-19 cases is now at 18.6 percent, also the highest of the pandemic.
The state has seen an overall case increase of 166% over the last four weeks, the fourth highest mark nationally.
1,465 people have died from COVID-19 in Wisconsin, 119,747 gave recovered from the virus and 8,398 have been hospitalized to date.
Gov. Tony Evers' administration issued a new order Tuesday limiting the size of public indoor gatherings as COVID-19 spreads unchecked across the state, in a move certain to alienate Republicans as well as tavern and restaurant owners.
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 Sept. 22. Face coverings while indoors except at a private residence are required as of Saturday, 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.
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.
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.