COVID-19 death toll exceeds 6K in Wisconsin; more than 140,000 complete series of vaccines

MADISON, Wisconsin – More than 6,000 people in Wisconsin have died from coronavirus since the pandemic first spread in the state last year.

With 28 new deaths confirmed on Friday, the statewide death toll reached 6,020. The first deaths from COVID-19 in Wisconsin were reported in mid-March.

Friday’s milestone comes as the COVID-19 vaccine continues to roll out statewide. As of Friday afternoon, 659,025 doses of the vaccine were administered to Wisconsinites. DHS officials said 143,610 people had received both doses of the vaccine.

According to public health officials, one in 10 people have received the vaccine in Dane County.

The seven-day positivity rate for new tests per person fell again to 18.7%, while the seven-day equivalent for the total number of tests per day fell slightly to 4.7%.

Health officials have confirmed 1,266 new cases of the virus, which is higher than the seven-day moving average of 1,186. The state has reached a lifetime total of 548,221 confirmed cases, and about 16,000, or 2, 9% of cases are active.

DHS officials said another 100 people were hospitalized between Thursday and Friday. Of the state’s 10,783 hospital beds, 20% are available for new patients.

For more headlines on COVID-19, click here.