Manitowoc Co. reports first COVID-19 related death, state cases increase by 224

MANITOWOC, Wis. (WBAY) — On Sunday, the Department of Health Services says 224 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Wisconsin, bringing the state’s total to 5,911. On Saturday, the DHS had confirmed an increase of 331 cases.

The increase comes along as testing ramps up throughout the state, which was first started in early February.

According to the DHS, the percent of people tested for COVID-19 who had positive results dropped to 9.7% Sunday, after 11.4% was reported Saturday.

The state’s death toll increased by six Sunday, bringing the total from 266 to 272.

Officials add another 59,235 people tested negative for COVID-19.

The DHS reports on Saturday, the reported total number of lab tests available to be performed for COVID-19 testing was 10,947, with 48 labs currently performing testing in the state of Wisconsin.

Gov. Tony Evers says the state must see more testing and a downward trajectory within a 14 day period before phasing out Safer at Home restrictions.

Evers’ goal is to have at least 85,000 test results per week, or an average of more than 12,000 a day. Currently, the state is using 48 labs for testing and their capacity is shy of 11,000 a day.

This week, the DHS reported the following percentages of people tested for COVID-19 who had positive results:

Monday, April 20 – 10.7%

Tuesday, April 21 – 8.9%

Wednesday, April 22 – 11.9%

Thursday, April 23 – 9.6%

Friday, April 24 – 8.9%

Saturday, April 25 – 11.4%

Sunday, April 26 – 9.7%

Hospital conditions

Currently there are 337 COVID-19 patients hospitalized, including 136 in ICU, and 322 are on mechanical ventilation, throughout the state.

In all, the DHS says 1,397 patients have been hospitalized during their treatment, which is about 24% of all cases.

Recovering Patients

On Saturday, the DHS reported 2,669 had recovered from COVID-19, or 45% of all confirmed cases.

The department had just started reporting recoveries earlier in the week.

To be considered recovered, patients must meet at least one of these criteria:

• Documentation of resolved symptoms
• Documentation of release from public health isolation
• 30 days since symptom onset or diagnosis

Click here to track the rate of positive cases per 100,000 people in each county.

County-by-county cases

Counties with additional cases and/or deaths are indicated in bold text

Wisconsin

Adams – 4 cases (1 death)

Ashland – 2 cases

Barron – 6 cases

Bayfield – 3 cases (1 death)

Brown – 776 cases (2 deaths)

Buffalo – 4 cases (1 death)

Burnett – 0 cases

Calumet – 7 cases

Chippewa – 20 cases

Clark – 19 cases (1 death)

Columbia – 27 cases (1 death)

Crawford – 3 cases

Dane – 405 cases (21 deaths)

Dodge – 29 cases (1 death)

Door – 10 cases (1 death)

Douglas – 9 cases

Dunn – 9 cases

Eau Claire – 25 cases

Florence – 2 cases

Fond du Lac – 69 cases (3 deaths)

Forest – 0 cases

Grant – 30 cases (3 deaths)

Green – 11 cases

Green Lake – 1 case

Iowa – 7 cases

Iron – 2 cases (1 death)

Jackson – 12 cases (1 death)

Jefferson – 39 cases

Juneau – 12 cases (1 death)

Kenosha – 339 cases (7 deaths)

Kewaunee – 10 cases (1 death)

La Crosse – 26 cases

Lafayette – 4 cases

Langlade – 0 cases

Lincoln – 0 cases

Manitowoc – 10 cases

Marathon – 17 cases (1 death)

Marinette – 7 cases (1 death)

Marquette – 3 cases (1 death)

Menominee – 1 case

Milwaukee – 2,629 cases (162 deaths)

Monroe – 14 cases

Oconto – 7 cases

Oneida – 6 cases

Outagamie – 46 cases (2 deaths)

Ozaukee – 85 cases (9 deaths)

Pepin – 0 cases

Pierce – 9 cases

Polk – 4 cases

Portage – 4 cases

Price – 1 case

Racine – 270 cases (10 deaths)

Richland – 11 cases (1 death)

Rock – 151 cases (5 deaths)

Rusk – 4 cases

Sauk – 40 cases (3 deaths)

Sawyer – 3 cases

Shawano – 8 cases

Sheboygan – 45 cases (2 deaths)

St. Croix – 13 cases

Taylor – 0 cases

Trempealeau – 2 cases

Vernon – 1 case

Vilas – 4 cases

Walworth – 135 cases (8 deaths)

Washburn – 1 case

Washington – 92 cases (4 deaths)

Waukesha – 307 cases (14 deaths)

Waupaca – 7 cases (1 death)

Waushara – 2 cases

Winnebago – 48 cases (1 death)

Wood – 2 cases

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Alger – 0 cases

Baraga – 0 cases

Chippewa – 2 case

Delta – 12 cases (2 deaths)

Dickinson – 3 cases (2 deaths)

Gogebic – 4 cases (1 death)

Houghton – 2 cases

Iron – 0 cases

Keweenaw – 0 cases

Luce – 1 case

Mackinac – 5 cases

Marquette – 42 cases (7 deaths)

Menominee – 3 cases

Ontonagon – 0 cases

Schoolcraft – 3 cases

Other Cases

Health officials in Manitowoc County say they have confirmed their first death due to COVID-19.

According to county health officials, one person died late Saturday due to the coronavirus.

County health officials said due to the low number of cases in the county and privacy concerns, no additional information is being released about the patient by the health department.

Mary Halada, the Manitowoc County Health Officer, said “We are saddened by this death and our hearts go out to the family, friends, and community. We strongly encourage our residents to follow the Safer at Home Order extension unless activities are essential. That is the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of our community.”

The county reported its first case of COVID-19 on April third.

RELATED: UPDATE: First COVID-19 death announced in Outagamie Co., first case announced in Manitowoc Co.

Meanwhile, Sheboygan County health officials say out of their total 48 confirmed cases, the number of active cases stands at nine.

One of the nine active cases includes one case at the Sunny Ridge facility, which had an outbreak of 19 cases.

So far, 16 of those patients have recovered, while two others died.

Sheboygan County officials report 37 people have recovered, while two others have died.

The county reports 808 people have tested negative for COVID-19.

Symptoms and Prevention

Brown County Public Health strongly emphasizes the need to maintain physical distance, saying its recent surge is the result of people spreading the virus by close contact. It says people are safer in their homes and should reduce contact with people outside of their household, even with other relatives.

People of all ages can get sick from the coronavirus. It’s a new virus, and nobody has natural immunity to it. The CDC says symptoms may appear between 2 and 14 days after contact with an infected person, but studies find 1 in 4 people carrying (and potentially spreading) the virus may have no symptoms.

Symptoms include a fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Emergency signs include pain and pressure in the chest, confusion, trouble breathing, and bluish lips or face.

“The virus is found in droplets from the throat and nose. When someone coughs or sneezes, other people near them can breathe in those droplets. The virus can also spread when someone touches an object with the virus on it. If that person touches their mouth, face, or eyes, the virus can make them sick,” says DHS.

Older people and those with underlying health conditions (heart disease, diabetes, lung disease) are considered at high risk, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Precautions are also needed around people with developing or weakened immune systems, including young children, pregnant women and certain medical patients.

To help prevent the spread of the virus:

• Stay at least six feet away from other people.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay at home as much as possible. Cancel events and avoid groups, gatherings, play dates and nonessential appointments
• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care
• Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
• Cover your mouth and nose with a mask. At a minimum, use a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
• Clean frequently-touched surfaces and objects daily (e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles).

This is a developing story check back for more details as they become available.