First case of a Brazilian variant of COVID-19 found in Wisconsin; The 7-day vaccination averages almost 48,000 doses per day

MADISON, Wisconsin – Health professionals administered more than 57,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday, bringing the state’s average seven-day daily doses to almost 48,000. This is at a time when state health officials confirm the presence of a third variant of COVID-19 in Wisconsin.

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

A total of 2,595,204 doses were administered across the state, according to data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Of these, 51,190 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, 1,182,540 doses of Moderna and 1,361,355 doses of Pfizer.

Although the state is excelling in the distribution of vaccines, state health officials said Thursday that they are concerned about a possible increase in cases, including variants of COVID-19.

On Friday, health officials confirmed that a third variant of the coronavirus – P.1, which originated in Brazil – arrived in Wisconsin. There is a confirmed case of this variant. DHS data indicate 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 state’s total life to 574,870 cases. Only 6,721 of these cases, about 1% of the total cases, are still active, according to DHS data.

The state’s seven-day average for the percentage of positivity in the test increased slightly on Friday to 2.6%, from 2.5% on Thursday.

Health officials removed two COVID-19-related deaths on Friday, bringing the state’s death toll to 6,597 people. DHS semi-regularly removes deaths while adjusting internal numbers.

Another 39 people were hospitalized on Friday.

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