MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Wisconsin saw by far its most coronavirus cases and percentage of positive tests in a single day on Friday.
The state Department of Health Services reported 1,498 new positive tests on Friday, smashing the previous record of 1,165 set on Aug. 8. There were also 10,204 negative tests, with the 12.8% positivity rate also breaking the previous record of 12.7%, set on May 1.
DHS says Friday’s data includes some test results from earlier in the week.
“There was problem with laboratory test reporting over the past couple days that has since been resolved,” a DHS spokesperson wrote in an email to FOX 11. “Some test results from this Monday evening through Wednesday morning were not processed by our system until yesterday, which is why they appear today. It’s important to look at the 7 day averages to get a complete picture of the COVID-19 cases.”
Both numbers were well above seven-day averages of 767 cases and 9.1% positive.
The state also reported seven new deaths, one more than the seven-day average of six.
Since the pandemic began, there have been 79,354 confirmed cases, more than 1.2 million negative tests and 1,153 deaths. As of Friday, DHS considered 70,229 people to have recovered from COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus.
The high numbers come as many local health departments have been pleading with people to avoid large gatherings over the Labor Day weekend.
DHS on Friday also revealed a new online dashboard showing the number of infections by age group.
Hospitalization data had not been updated for the day as of early afternoon.
