MADISON, Wisconsin (WMTV) – The total number of COVID-19 variants in Wisconsin more than tripled on Thursday since the Department of Health Services last updated their data.
DHS Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk announced at a press conference on Thursday that there are now a total of 19 cases of the British variant in the state. The DHS COVID-19 dashboard was last updated on Feb. 25, saying there were only six cases. The British variant can spread faster than the regular variant of COVID-19.
“We must all do everything we can to stop the spread,” said Willems van Dijk. “For those of you who qualify, get your vaccine and for all of us who are waiting, we have to keep doing what we know works.” Willems van Dijk mentioned washing hands, wearing a mask and staying at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Willems Van Dijk also noted that everyone in Wisconsin will be eligible for vaccination in late May and that every resident will be immunized for “a little time” afterward, possibly until early July.
The number of patients who have finished their vaccination series is also nearing the total number of COVID-19 cases ever reported in Wisconsin. There are currently 548,343 people fully vaccinated, while 565,808 people have tested positive for COVID-19 to date.
Nearly 17% of Wisconsin residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine, while 9.4% of residents have completed their series of vaccinations.
Green and Sauk County both joined the 20% club for people who received at least one dose of the vaccine this week. Other counties in South Central Wisconsin that have crossed the 20% threshold include Richland, Iowa, and Lafayette. Menominee County, in northern Wisconsin, now stands at 30% for the 4,556 residents who have at least one dose of the vaccine.
The department also notes that 20.5% of women in Wisconsin have officially received at least one dose of the vaccine, while 13.2% of men have received at least one dose.
Daily COVID-19 cases continue to drop below 1,000
Daily new COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin have been reported in less than 1,000 in the past three consecutive weeks, as of Thursday.
According to DHS’s COVID-19 dashboard, there were 677 positive cases on Thursday. The seven-day moving average has continued to fall for the fourth day in a row and currently stands at 522.
The number of Wisconsin patients in the ICU fell below 70 on Thursday, with 69 patients in the state’s intensive care units.
There were 51 patients added to the number of Wisconsinites hospitalized with the coronavirus, out of a total of 267 patients. Compared to last week, 88 fewer patients are in hospital this week.
The total number of Wisconsinites who have died from COVID-19 has risen to 6,470, of which 12 have recently been reported.
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