In the latest record-breaking day of the escalating coronavirus crisis in Wisconsin, the state reported more than 5,700 new cases and surpassed 50,000 active cases.
As voters cast their ballots in a crucial election Tuesday, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported 5,771 new cases and 52 deaths, bringing the death toll to 2,102.
The previous record for new cases reported in a day, about 5,200, was set Saturday. Before last week, the state had never reported more than 5,000 cases in a day.
Tuesday’s count brings the average for new daily cases over the last seven days to a new high of 4,536, more than six times the seven-day average recorded two months ago, just as cases in the state were beginning to surge.
Also notching a new record Tuesday was the average positivity rate of 30.8%. The measure looks at first-time positive tests over the last seven days. Two months ago, the average positivity rate was 5.2%.
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The explosion in cases since early September has resulted in rising hospitalizations and deaths due to the virus, and health experts expect the situation to worsen as cases show no sign of slowing down.
The average daily death toll over the last seven days is 36. Two months ago, it was five.
Menominee County reported its first death due to the virus Tuesday, making Pepin County, southwest of Eau Claire, Wisconsin’s last county with no coronavirus deaths.
Hospital capacity is strained as beds fill with COVID-19 patients, and hospitals across the state are reporting critical staffing shortages as health care workers exposed to the virus in the community are forced to quarantine at home.
As of Tuesday, a record 1,714 people were hospitalized with the virus in the state, including 347 patients in intensive care units. The number of actively hospitalized patients in Wisconsin has risen by nearly 330 in the last week.
The field hospital at State Fair Park was treating seven patients Tuesday, down from 13 the day prior, according to the state. Known as an alternate care facility, it is intended to free up bed space at hospitals and treat coronavirus patients who need a lower level of hospital care.
And 30 minutes after the coronavirus testing site at Miller Park opened Tuesday, people were being told there was a 2.5-hour wait. The site has seen long lines since opening last week, and on Tuesday it was the only city-run, free testing site open as the Northwest and Southside Health Centers were closed for the election.
Last month was the state’s worst of the pandemic, with one in 60 Wisconsinites receiving positive COVID-19 test results in October. About 33% of Wisconsin residents who have died with COVID-19 did so in October.
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More than 2.1 million people have been tested statewide for the virus. Of the 238,067 Wisconsinites who have tested positive:
- 77.8%, or 185,241, have “recovered” by DHS standards, meaning there is documented proof their symptoms have resolved or it’s been 30 days since their diagnosis.
- 21.3%, or 50,689, are considered “active,” meaning they aren’t recovered and haven’t died.
Read More: State reports 5,700 new cases, 52 deaths