MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Thursday’s number of new coronavirus cases in Wisconsin was above the seven-day average, but the percentage of positive tests and the number of new deaths were both below the seven-day averages.
The state Department of Health Services reported 727 new positive tests, higher than the seven-day average of 674. There were 8,451 negative tests, putting the positivity rate at 7.9%, slightly below the seven-day average of 8.4%. Health officials say the goal is to have the seven-day average at or below 5%.
Four new deaths were reported, below the seven-day average of five.
Since the pandemic began, there have been 77,856 confirmed cases of coronavirus and just shy of 1.2 million negative tests. A total of 1,146 people have died.
As of Thursday, DHS considered 69,299 people to have recovered from COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus.
In a news conference Thursday, DHS officials said the age group with the highest rate of new infections was 18-to-34-year-olds. DHS leaders urged people to take steps to protect themselves and the community over the Labor Day weekend. DHS’ website includes a tool that can help people make good decisions.
