More than 3,700 positive for COVID-19; Fond du Lac County reports 3rd death – WBAY

FOND DU LAC COUNTY, Wis. (WBAY) - An additional 166 patients tested positive for COVID-19 in numbers reported to the state Department of Health Services over the past 24 hours. The state now reports a total 3,721 positive tests.

Brown County accounted for 17 of the new cases reported by the state.

There are 182 deaths -- 12 more than Tuesday. Fond du Lac County reported its 3rd COVID-19 related death, which was included in Wednesday's update.

The state reports 1,091 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized during their treatment, including 163 who are currently in intensive care.

Washburn County in northwestern Wisconsin reported its first COVID-19 patient. That leaves 7 counties in Wisconsin which haven't had a positive test: Burnett, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Pepin, Taylor and Vernon.

County by countyAdams - 3 (1 death)Ashland - 2Barron - 6Bayfield - 3Brown - 114 (1 death)Buffalo - 4 (1 death)Calumet - 5Chippewa - 20Clark - 9Columbia - 27 (1 death)Crawford - 3Dane - 351 (13 deaths)Dodge - 19 (1 death)Door - 9 (1 death)Douglas - 7Dunn - 9Eau Claire - 21Florence - 2Fond du Lac - 59 (3 deaths)Grant - 8 (1 death)Green - 9Green Lake - 1Iowa - 5Iron - 2 (1 death)Jackson - 10 (1 death)Jefferson - 24Juneau - 7 (1 death)Kenosha - 204 (4 deaths)Kewaunee - 5 (1 death)La Crosse - 25Lafayette - 3Manitowoc 4Marathon - 14 (1 death)Marinette - 4 (1 death)Marquette - 3Menominee - 1Milwaukee - 1,870 (105 deaths)Monroe - 10Oconto - 4Oneida 6Outagamie - 31 (2 deaths)Ozaukee - 77 (9 deaths)Pierce - 7Polk - 3Portage - 4Price - 1Racine - 138 (6 deaths)Richland - 7Rock - 62 (4 deaths)Rusk - 3Sauk - 31 (4 deaths)Sawyer - 2Shawano - 6Sheboygan - 37 (2 deaths)St. Croix - 10Trempealeau - 1Vilas - 4Walworth - 49 (2 deaths)Washburn - 1Washington - 78 (3 deaths)Waukesha - 238 (10 deaths)Waupaca - 4 (1 death)Waushara - 2Winnebago - 31 (1 death)Wood - 2

Michigan's health department reports 54 COVID-19 patients in the Upper Peninsula, including 27 in Marquette County. There have been 9 deaths.

Fond du Lac County reports 3rd death

The Fond du Lac County Health Department announced Wednesday that the illness "has taken the life of another Fond du Lac County resident."

Health Officer Kim Mueller did not release any details about the person who died.

"To the family, friends, and neighbors, whose lives have been forever changed by the loss of a loved one, there may be few words to comfort you. Once again, I am urging all Fond du Lac County residents to follow the Safer at Home order and only go out for the necessities, protect yourself and others. All of our lives depend on it," reads a statement from Mueller.

It's the county's third COVID-19 related death and the first death in more than 2 weeks.

On March 29, a man who was being treated at a hospital in Fond du Lac County passed away from the virus.

On March 19, Fond du Lac man Dale Witkowski passed away from the virus. Witkowski was one of the patients in Fond du Lac County who contracted the coronavirus while on an Egypt river cruise.

Other casesManitowoc County reported its fifth COVID-19 patient late Wednesday afternoon. Citing the patient's privacy, county officials aren't releasing any information about the patient's age, gender, hometown or whether they were infected by community spread. The county determined infections were spreading in the community a week ago, and Emergency Services Director Travis Waack emphasized the need for avoiding non-essential travel and private gatherings, and that people should maintain physical distance, wash their hands frequently, and cover their sneezes and coughs.

Sheboygan County's Division of Public Health reported Wednesday it has 38 total COVID-19 patients. Twenty-six of these are considered recovered. Ten cases remain active, and the county had 2 deaths.

CLICK HERE to track the virus in Wisconsin.

Spreading the disease

The coronavirus is spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes.

"These droplets can remain in the air and on surfaces for an extended period of time. When people breathe in (inhale) the droplets, or touch surfaces that have been contaminated and then touch their mouth, face, or eyes, the virus can make them sick," says the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

People infected with the virus can develop the respiratory disease named COVID-19.

COVID-19 symptoms and prevention

Symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. CLICK HERE for more information on symptoms. Emergency signs include pain and pressure in the chest, confusion, trouble breathing, and bluish lips or face.

The CDC believes symptoms may appear between 2 and 14 days after contact with an infected person.

VISIT wbay.com/coronavirus for complete local, national and international coverage of the outbreak.

DHS recommends taking these steps to help stop the spread of the virus:

--Stay at home--Limit your physical interactions with people--Keep at least six feet apart from others--Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water--Make essential trips no more than once a week--Covering coughs and sneezes--Avoid touching your face

Local and national health care providers are encouraging people to wear masks in public to avoid spreading the illness to others.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has issued a Safer at Home order restricting large gatherings, non-essential business and travel in the state. CLICK HERE to find out what the order means for you.

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More than 3,700 positive for COVID-19; Fond du Lac County reports 3rd death - WBAY