Wisconsin COVID-19 cases nearly double over past month – WKOW

MADISON (WKOW) -- Wisconsin's statewide infections have doubled in just over a month, numbers from health officials indicate.

The Department of Health Services reported 12,594 new test results, of which 495--or 3.9 percent--came back positive, according to the numbers released today.

Measuring the percentage of new cases returned in tests each day helps differentiate if increases in cases are due to greater spread or more testing, according to DHS.

Theseven-day average, another measure reported by DHS,has risen over the last several weeks.

The numbers represent a doubling of total infections in Wisconsin since the Memorial Day weekend.

DHS also reported nine new deaths and 37 new hospitalizations.

More than 600,000 tests have come back negative since testing began.

Of the positive cases, 25,758, or 79 percent have recovered.

DHS now has a county-level dashboard to assess the COVID-19 activity levelin counties and Healthcare Emergency Readiness Coalition regions that measure what DHS calls the burden in each county.View the dashboard HERE.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services updates the statistics each dayon its website around 2 p.m.

(Our entire coronavirus coverage is available here.)

The new strain of the coronavirus causes the disease COVID-19. Symptoms include cough, fever and shortness of breath. A full list of symptoms is available onthe Centers for Disease Control website.

In severe cases, pneumonia can develop. Those most at risk include the elderly, people with heart or lung disease as well as anyone at greater risk of infection.

For most, the virus is mild, presenting similarly to a common cold or the flu.

Anyone who thinks they may have the disease should call ahead to a hospital or clinic before going in for a diagnosis. Doing so gives the staff time to take the proper precautions so the virus does not spread.

Those needing emergency medical services should continue to use 911.

More:

Wisconsin COVID-19 cases nearly double over past month - WKOW