First Case of Brazilian COVID-19 Variant Found in Wisconsin; 7-day vaccination averages nearly 48,000 doses per day

MADISON, Delete. Health workers administered more than 57,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday, bringing the state’s seven-day average to nearly 48,000 doses a day. That’s just as state health officials have confirmed the presence of a third COVID-19 variant in Wisconsin.

To date, 1,634,977 Wisconsinites have received at least one dose of vaccine, which is 28.1% of the state’s population; 948,765 Wisconsinites, about 16.3% of the state’s population, are now fully vaccinated.

According to data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, a total of 2,595,204 doses have been administered statewide. Of these, 51,190 doses were Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine, 1,182,540 doses of Moderna’s and 1,361,355 doses of Pfizer’s.

While the state excels in vaccine distribution, health officials said Thursday they are concerned about a potential spike in cases, including variants of COVID-19.

On Friday, health officials confirmed that a third variant of the coronavirus – P.1, originating in Brazil – has made its way to Wisconsin. There is a confirmed case of that variant. DHS data indicates that there are 78 confirmed cases of the UK variant and two confirmed cases of the South African variant.

DHS officials confirmed a total of 434 new cases on Friday, bringing the total life of the state to 574,870 cases. According to data from the DHS, only 6,721 of those cases, about 1% of the total cases, are still active.

The state’s seven-day average for percent positive by test rose slightly to 2.6% on Friday, from 2.5% on Thursday.

Health officials withdrew two COVID-19-related deaths on Friday, bringing the state’s death toll back to 6,597 people. DHS retracts deaths semi-regularly while internal numbers are updated.

Another 39 people were hospitalized on Friday.

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