SHEALAH CRAIGHEAD
Wisconsin’s COVID-19 cases jump 65%, Milwaukee’s positivity rate increases by 100%
May 17, 2020
Update 5/18 3:29 p.m.: Wisconsin state officials reported Monday the state’s lowest single-day case total, announcing just 144 new cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. The decrease marks a drop of more than 200 relative to Sunday’s report of 356.
Though Wisconsin recorded its fewest amount of tests in five days, the testing conducted over the past 24 hours remains higher than the average state testing prior to last Wednesday. Wisconsin also reported a record 2.9% positivity rate, a full percentage point lower than the previous record set last Thursday.
Wisconsin’s 24-hour COVID-19 totals increased by 65% between May 1 and May 16.
Between May 1 and May 2, Wisconsin state officials confirmed 328 new cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. Yesterday, state officials confirmed 502 new cases of the coronavirus, the highest single-day jump since COVID-19 recording began.
However, part of the increased accumulative totals can be attributed to increased testing. In the 24 hours between May 1 and May 2, Wisconsin tested 3,350 of its residents. Over the past 24 hours, that figure climbed to 5,824, meaning Wisconsin’s rate of transmission increased by approximately 12%.
Wisconsin’s largest cities are experiencing exponential increases in positvity rates. Milwaukee’s positivity rate jumped 11% over the 24-hours between May 13 (11%) and May 14 (22%). Between May 1 and May 2, Dane County, home to Madison, Wis., reported only two new cases. However, between May 16 and May 17, Dane County officials announced 13 new cases, an 85% increase.
Last week, the Wisconsin Supreme Court determined Gov. Tony Evers overstepped his authority after Evers attempted to extend the state’s stay at home order through May 26. Since the Supreme Court’s ruling, many nonessential businesses reopened, leading to large crowds gathering absent face masks or social distancing guidelines.
Chrison • May 21, 2020 at 3:21 pm
Since Donald Trump said state opens is up to the Governors of each state… it sounds like Tony Evers has a case. I hope he sues.
Dale Wing • May 18, 2020 at 3:16 pm
If you recall, Trump said he would leave the job of when to open up to the Governors of each state.
Renee Shavers • May 18, 2020 at 9:03 am
Finding out that it’s more in the community than we thought is no excuse or reason to open up… just because they’re doing more tests and we’re getting higher numbers doesn’t mean it’s safer than it was before we found out those people were sick. in fact finding out that there’s more in the community than we originally thought by testing what that’s telling us is that we need to stay home even more because more people have it then we expected. This entire movement to open up is homicidal by the people who are leading it. the supreme Court needs to go but until then we need to stay home and wait for vaccine. Just wait until summer hits in all these Milwaukee and Madison and Chicago people decide to go to their summer homes up north there will be a whole different attitude when the virus spreads to northern Wisconsin en masse and everyone up north starts dying
Chris • May 18, 2020 at 8:14 am
It’s easy to say “stay home” but people need money, 1200 only goes so far. If you can stay home, great but people have to live and feed their kids. Now if your worried about spreading it or catching it stay home and let people go back to work. Don’t make others pay for your fear.
Archie • May 18, 2020 at 8:04 am
Any statistics quoted this early are attributable to infections contracted under Evers unilateral unconstitutional singular orders. Had he gone through the PROPER channels and let the elected authorities determine the extension of his “stay at home” to legitimately extend it, he could have pointed anywhere to blame. But he didn’t. He acted unilaterally and, apparently, illegally, in having a non elected appointed person decide the financial fate of the state!
I have been working through this all, and I know I am at risk. Someone has to feed those hiding at home. Some are unemployed against their will, while some sit home and point fingers at those supporting them, saying this is somehow the Republicans fault. Let those who want to help attempt to save this states economy go back to work. We are admittedly at risk, but we are also at risk of financial ruin, massive mental health issues, and unsustainable debt! Who do you think are covering for those who stay at home?
I still have not received the check many of you already cashed, but I will have to pay it back, and I have already started the payback process via employment checks. I need help with that very important task, and if you are too lazy to help, at least you could allow others to pitch in to your personal sit and wait it out fund.
People will get sick and some people will die. That is a fact that we can not change. We have flattened the curve, but it won’t drop off. Those who are susceptible may succumb. Maybe me, but I want to die with some dignity and not in a bread line. Hide if you want, but don’t hate those people who are supporting your right to crawl down a hole!
The Supreme Court sided with the law – AS IT SHOULD. Illegal activities should be stopped, even if you politically agree with them. Being a sore looser does not look good on you.
Managing Editor • May 18, 2020 at 12:08 pm
Thank you for reading, but the first part of your comment isn’t true.
Joe Down • May 18, 2020 at 7:26 am
It is a life setence!
Can the people sue the Court??
Jackie Vanselow • May 17, 2020 at 9:07 pm
Wait for the count in 2 weeks for everyone that ran out on Friday after the Suoreme Court ruling freely let everyone outta the gate.
We will see the number of new cases then.
Managing Editor • May 18, 2020 at 12:09 pm
It takes approximately that long for the CDC to confirm death counts, but not for states to receive the results of testing.
Tom • May 17, 2020 at 8:32 pm
Absolutely mind blowing that ANYONE could support a man who suggests drinking lysol to fight this virus. He fires everyone that disagrees with him and for a guy who never reads that’s inexplicable. The Republican party no longer exist and has been replaced by by a cult of renegades. God Bless the people who know good from evil and a Special thank thank you to our Govenor for trying his best to keep us safe.
April • May 17, 2020 at 6:55 pm
Right I agree every member of the supreme court needs to go. They are in humane. Don Johnson the Wisconsin senator needs to go right behind them. . The higher cases is a number if things . People not doing what they should like wearing mask hanging out in bars. protesting, voting in a pandemic They have all spreaded the virus to others . Wisconsin is one of the worst states to be in right now. I am embarrassed to say I live here. I do appreciate Governor Evers for trying to save lives.
Michael Chapman • May 17, 2020 at 6:44 pm
I think every body should wait till its safe to go out i dont kniw whats the damn problem people are dieing wake up world an stay home
Tsm • May 17, 2020 at 5:58 pm
Supreme Court ruled on LAW NOT EMOTIONS
Evers could have worked with the assembly but chose not to
Now they need to reopen responsibly and work together.
If that doesn’t happen blame Evers
He’s not dictator he’s a governor
Lots of places outside Madison and Milwaukee have no cases. Tri-county Area needs to be responsible
Let’s work together not in factions
Sharon • May 17, 2020 at 5:40 pm
Has anyone mentioned that they are testing more people now than they ever have. They opened up more test sites throughout the state, so the more people tested the more results. Please give all numbers.
Managing Editor • May 17, 2020 at 6:47 pm
Yes. In the article.
Zoanr • May 17, 2020 at 4:27 pm
The court order freeing us from the illegal lockdown 4 days ago! Not a single one of the new cases can be attributed to that. The increase is simply because of increased testing. Way to twist the news into left wing misplaced hate! You are blaming the Supreme Court for Evers ILLEGAL ACTS!
Managing Editor • May 17, 2020 at 4:48 pm
This was a straight account of recent developments and statistics. If recounts of scientific reporting have become synonymous with leftism, that speaks volumes. Scientific findings and facts carry no political alignment. Second, the fastest test to be authorized by the FDA returns results in approximately five minutes, according to GoodRx. These are the tests used at statewide sites and are provided by Abbott. Thank you for reading. Thank you for reading.
Erica • May 17, 2020 at 4:23 pm
Just wait in two weeks the numbers. That’s because money is more important then the health of the people. Got to love the people that opened the state. They need to get out in public on a regular basis now and hope for there health
Jm aubrey • May 17, 2020 at 3:09 pm
This is the reason why our governor set guidelines before our state should open up. I don’t understand why educated people are ignoring the science before our state even reaches its apex. Everyone should be wearing a mask when going out in public. Just look at the countries that have stopped the community spread….there are 32 of them. Guess what? It’s not rocket science…..everyone is wearing a mask.
Anthony Giarraputo • May 17, 2020 at 3:02 pm
Every one of those bastards in the Supreme court NEED TO BE REMOVED,