COVID-19 infections reach levels not seen since February
MADISON (WLUK) -- Coronavirus spread in Wisconsin is at levels not seen since February as a surge fueled by the delta variant of the virus continues.
The state Department of Health Services reported Tuesday the seven-day average of new cases at 854, its highest level since Feb. 10. There were 1,391 positive tests on Monday, the most in a single day since Feb. 3. The seven-day average of test positivity stood at 7.2%.
Despite the upswing in virus activity, the seven-day average of new deaths remained at one. One death reported Monday was linked to COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.
Since the pandemic began, there have been 624,213 confirmed infections and 7,447 deaths.
Vaccinations reached their highest level since July 2, with a seven-day average of 6,240 doses per day. A total of 52.1% of the population (3,035,180 people) had received at least one dose, while 49.5% (2,879,303) had completed their vaccine series.
Wisconsin had seen 5,843,610 doses administered as of Tuesday.
Hospitalizations continued their rise, with the number of people in intensive care in triple digits. The Wisconsin Hospital Association reported treating 341 COVID-19 patients, 31 more than on Monday and 155 more than a week earlier. Of those, 106 were in ICUs, up 18 in a day and 44 in a week. It was the first time since May 7 that more than 100 people were in ICUs.
Northeast region hospitals had 23 COVID-19 patients, up five in a day and six over a week. Of those, eight were in ICUs, the same as on Monday and one more than a week earlier. In the Fox Valley region, there were nine COVID-19 patients, down three in a day and down two over a week. There were two in ICUs, the first ICU patients since June 27.