Wisconsin Breaks Record Of Newly Confirmed COVID-19 Cases
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin hit a new high Friday in newly confirmed COVID-19 cases, breaking the record set just the day before.
The state Department of Health Services reported 845 new confirmed cases, a day after there were 754 new positives. Cases in Wisconsin, as well as the percentage positive of all those tested, have been increasing since mid-June, mirroring spikes seen in most states.
Of the 12,702 test results in Wisconsin reported Friday, 6.6% were positive. That was up from 5.7% on Thursday. Of the roughly 34,700 people who have tested positive, 79% have recovered and 2% have died. There have been 814 deaths.
There were 278 people hospitalized statewide due to the virus, down from a peak of 446 in April. The number of people hospitalized has also been slowly increasing.
In efforts to curb the spread of the virus, Dane County this week mandated the wearing of masks in public starting on Monday. Gov. Tony Evers also mandated masks for state employees working in state buildings. And the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents voted unanimously to require the wearing of masks inside all campus buildings.
There is no statewide mask mandate. Evers has said it's unlikely to happen after the Wisconsin Supreme Court in May struck down his "safer at home" order.
(© Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
