(FOX 9) – For the first time since the pandemic began, the state of Wisconsin has reported a total of negative deaths, leading some to wonder how this is possible.
On Sunday, the state reported a total change in deaths from -2 deaths. In a social media post, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services explained that the net reduction in deaths is due to corrections made in previous reports. The state’s COVID-19 website notes that data corrections are routine, as cases are investigated by local public health leaders.
Although two deaths have already been removed from the state totals, Wisconsin last week still averaged nine new deaths a day.
Despite the net reduction and the average single-digit increase in mortality, state officials are asking Wisconsin residents to continue wearing masks, distancing themselves socially and washing their hands while the virus and its variants circulate across the state.
The state of Wisconsin reported an average 7-day case increase of 420 on Sunday and an average 7-day test positivity of 2 percent.
In hospitals, 80 percent of COVID-19 beds are occupied on Sunday. 55 patients in total ICU were also reported.
Vaccines
Across the state, 11.9 percent of the population completed vaccines, or 687,640 people in total. 38.2 percent of people aged 65 and over have finished the vaccine.
More than 21 percent of the population received their first dose of the vaccine, which represents more than 1.2 million people. 67.6 percent of Wisconsin residents over 65 received at least one dose.
Vaccine eligibility
Wisconsin launched a website on March 3 to help people trying to get the COVID-19 vaccine to be notified when they are eligible and to find consultations.
So far, the state has made vaccines available to the elderly, frontline health professionals and essential frontline professionals, including:
- Police and firefighters, correctional staff
- Education and nursery staff
- Individuals enrolled in Medicaid long-term care programs
- Some essential workers who cater to the public, such as 911 operators, public transport and grocery workers
- Essential health personnel outside the front line
- Facility staff and residents of congregated residential environments
The pandemic so far
The state of Wisconsin said it had discovered a variant of COVID-19 in a patient. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the strain, referred to as B.1.1.7, was identified in a Wisconsin patient on January 12.
COVID-19 infections can often go undetected and be asymptomatic; laboratory-confirmed tests represent only a fraction of the actual cases of COVID-19. A study by the Journal of the American Medical Association estimated that the actual cases in some cases were six to 24 times greater than the reported cases.
Why doctors say it’s still important to wear a mask after being vaccinated
As more people are vaccinated against COVID-19, doctors are emphasizing the continued importance of masks and social detachment. Dr. Abe Jacob of M Health Fairview joined Buzz with more information on why you will still want to mask yourself after vaccination.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced an internal mask mandate for people over the age of 5, which he extended. Facial coverings inside the home, except in a private residence, are required since August 1st. However, on February 4, the state legislature voted to revoke Evers’ order. On the same day, Governor Evers issued a new mask mandate, keeping the mandate in place.
Evers extended the order to remain in the state’s home until May 26, but on May 13 the Supreme Federal Court blocked the extension, effectively opening all establishments in the state. Hours later, images of crowded bars surfaced across the state, prompting the governor to call his state “Wild West”. Evers’ original order “Safer at Home” came into effect on March 25. In October, a judge allowed Evers’ mask to remain in effect.
On April 4, President Donald Trump approved a disaster declaration for Wisconsin due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This statement allows federal funding to be allocated to eligible state, tribal and local governments and certain private non-profit organizations that have been affected by the virus.
For more information, visit the website of the state health department.
If you have any questions or immediate needs related to COVID-19, you can text COVID19 to 211-211, visit 211 Wisconsin.org or call 211. The volume of calls is high, so employees ask people be patient and try to use the text or online options first.
If you are experiencing signs and symptoms of COVID-19, health authorities advise you to call your doctor.