MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Wisconsin crushed its previous records for coronavirus testing and confirmed cases on Friday.
The state Department of Health Services reports 733 new positive tests — the first time the number of new cases has been over 600. There were 12,869 negative tests, again topping the previous record by more than 100. There have now been 16,974 positive tests and 220,719 negative.
The percentage of positive tests was 5.4%, a slight uptick from Thursday’s number. The state also reported 18 new deaths from COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus. The total number of deaths is at 568.
DHS believes 10,880 people have recovered.
Wisconsin hospitals say they are caring for 423 patients with COVID-19, 14 more than on Thursday. Of those, 145 are in intensive care units, seven more than a day earlier. Another 235 patients are waiting for their test results.
There are 1,279 ventilators in Wisconsin, with 327 in use, one fewer than on Thursday.
Of the state’s 11,484 hospital beds, 2,976 are available.
