The state Department of Health Services announced Sunday there are 1,112 positive cases of COVID-19 statewide, as well as 16,550 negative tests. However, the number continues to grow as counties announce positive cases.
According to figures from DHS and local health officials, 18 people in Wisconsin have died of COVID-19 as of Sunday. There has been one death each in Dane, Fond du Lac, Iron, Sauk and Waupaca counties, three in Ozaukee County, and 10 in Milwaukee County.
Milwaukee’s African American community has been hit particularly hard during the pandemic. The majority of deaths in the county were African Americans living on the city’s northwest side.
Stay informed on the latest news
Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter.
The new confirmed cases announced Sunday push the state well past the milestone of 1,000 cases — on Saturday the number sat just below that at 989.
Early last week, Gov. Tony Evers’ administration issued a “safer-at-home” order prohibiting travel and the operation of non-essential businesses in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. The order went into effect at 8 a.m. Wednesday and is in effect until April 24, or until another order is issued.
Without further restrictions on movement, DHS officials said they believe 22,000 residents would test positive for COVID-19 by April 8, and 440 to 1,500 people would die from the disease.
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2024, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.
