The state Department of Health Services announced Saturday there are 989 positive cases of COVID-19 statewide, as well as 15,232 negative tests. However, the number continues to grow as counties announce positive cases.
According to figures from DHS and local health officials, 17 people in Wisconsin have died of COVID-19 as of Saturday. There has been one death each in Dane, Fond du Lac, Iron, Sauk and Waupaca counties, three in Ozaukee County, and nine 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.
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Between Friday and Saturday, the number of positive cases jumped by 147, and the number of negative test results increased by 2,092.
Saturday marks the first weekend day of the Evers administration’s 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.
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.
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