7-day average number of COVID-19 cases remains over 5K, but is decreasing in Wisconsin

Wisconsin's seven-day average remains over 5,000 COVID-19 daily cases, though the average continued its downward trend Wednesday.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reporteda seven-day average of 5,372 Wednesday, the lowest that number has been since Nov. 6. But DHS reminded residents on social media that a negative test "is not a free pass" to gather with others over the holidays.

Even though the downward trend isn't an excuse to forget COVID-19 guidelines, it is a welcomed change, after months of surging coronavirus cases that suggested the end was far in sight. That end could still be far on the horizon; but at least according to the preliminary data Wednesday, Wisconsin is doing something right.

Both of the ways the DHS tracks percent positivity continue to decrease, day after day. DHS numbers show the seven-day percent positive (by person) at 28.3 percent, the lowest that number has been since Oct. 28. DHS further reports the seven-day percent positive (by test) at 13 percent, the lowest that number has been since Oct. 27. Both percent positives began decreasing around Nov. 11.

Meanwhile, DHS reported 63 new deaths caused by the virus Wednesday, raising the death toll in Wisconsin to 3,178. The seven-day average number of daily deaths rose to 55 Wednesday, following the record 104 deaths recorded on Tuesday.

There are just over 75,200 active cases in the state, with 248 new hospitalizations, raising the total number of hospitalized since the pandemic began to 16,457.

"Your #Thanksgiving dinner may be smaller this year, but that doesn't mean you can ignore food safety. Remember to clean, separate, cook, & chill, and put away any leftovers within two hours of eating," the health department tweeted Wednesday.

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