DHS Adds “Critically High” Category to Disease Activity Dashboard Showing Impact of COVID-19
As COVID-19 cases continue to surge, DHS launches new features on its COVID-19 data pages
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) added a “critically high” category to the Disease Activity Dashboard to give Wisconsinites a better picture of the impact of COVID-19 in our state amidst a surge in activity. This new category indicates how alarming COVID-19 activity is in counties and regions throughout Wisconsin. The “critically high” category is nearly three times higher than “very high.” Both the state and 65 counties are at this “critically high” level today.
New testing data, now available at the county level, also provides further insights about the COVID-19 infections in communities. Looking at percent positive by test, which counts people each time they are tested, is an important way to understand how prevalent the COVID-19 virus is in each jurisdiction (or county). The updated dashboard also includes the number of daily tests administered by region and county, as well as the seven-day average tests administered and test positivity.
Governor Evers’ new Executive Order 94 outlines important steps that each Wisconsinite can take to protect their family, friends and neighbors, including wearing a mask and maintaining six feet of distance from others when they have to leave their homes. Now is the time to identify counties where the case activity rate exceeds the existing “very high” category. The addition of the “critically high” category, representing greater than 1,000 cases per 100,000 residents, provides vital information to Wisconsinites.
Also critical to our understanding of the burden of COVID-19 across the state are probable cases and probable deaths. An added feature is available for daily cases and deaths, as well as cumulative cases and deaths on the County Data page. With the growing use of antigen tests, especially in group and outbreak settings, there will likely be an increase in the number of probable cases.
A probable case of COVID-19 is anyone who is not positive by a confirmatory laboratory test method (like a PCR or NAT test), but has met one of the following criteria:
- Positive test result from an antigen test;
- Symptoms of COVID-19 and known exposure to COVID-19 (such as being a close contact of someone diagnosed with COVID-19); or
- COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2 is listed on the death certificate. Any positive test result by antigen testing is counted as a probable COVID-19 case because antigen tests are not as accurate as other diagnostic tests, such as PCR and NAT tests. In particular, antigen tests are less accurate at identifying positive cases – meaning, someone who tests negative but has symptoms or is a close contact of a positive case may need to be tested again.
A probable death due to COVID-19 includes anyone who is reported to have died from causes related to COVID-19. It also includes those who have a death certificate that lists COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 as an underlying cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death is reported to DHS but WEDSS has no record of confirmatory laboratory evidence for SARS-CoV-2.
In addition to motivating personal behavior change, these additions to the DHS COVID-19 data pages are intended to assist local decision-making on how to fight back against the virus in our communities. Our guidance document, Slowing the Spread of COVID-19: Mitigation Strategies for Wisconsin Communities, provides community leaders with strategies to combat the virus.
DHS plans to update the Disease Activity dashboard by 4 p.m. every Wednesday and the County Data page every day by 2 p.m.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Governors Tony Evers, JB Pritzker, Tim Walz, and Gretchen Whitmer Issue a Joint Statement Concerning Reports that Donald Trump Gave Russian Dictator Putin American COVID-19 Supplies - Gov. Tony Evers - Oct 11th, 2024
- MHD Release: Milwaukee Health Department Launches COVID-19 Wastewater Testing Dashboard - City of Milwaukee Health Department - Jan 23rd, 2024
- Milwaukee County Announces New Policies Related to COVID-19 Pandemic - County Executive David Crowley - May 9th, 2023
- DHS Details End of Emergency COVID-19 Response - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Apr 26th, 2023
- Milwaukee Health Department Announces Upcoming Changes to COVID-19 Services - City of Milwaukee Health Department - Mar 17th, 2023
- Fitzgerald Applauds Passage of COVID-19 Origin Act - U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald - Mar 10th, 2023
- DHS Expands Free COVID-19 Testing Program - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Feb 10th, 2023
- MKE County: COVID-19 Hospitalizations Rising - Graham Kilmer - Jan 16th, 2023
- Not Enough Getting Bivalent Booster Shots, State Health Officials Warn - Gaby Vinick - Dec 26th, 2022
- Nearly All Wisconsinites Age 6 Months and Older Now Eligible for Updated COVID-19 Vaccine - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Dec 15th, 2022
Read more about Coronavirus Pandemic here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Salmonella Infections Linked to Cucumbers Sold in Wisconsin
Nov 29th, 2024 by Wisconsin Department of Health ServicesThree Wisconsinites ill, cucumbers recalled, Wisconsinites urged to check homes for them
DHS Encourages Wisconsinites to ‘Be Antibiotic Aware’ This Respiratory Virus Season
Nov 18th, 2024 by Wisconsin Department of Health ServicesUsing antibiotics when they're not necessary can do more harm than good
DHS Launches New System to Help Communities Track and Respond to Overdose
Nov 14th, 2024 by Wisconsin Department of Health ServicesWisconsin Suspected Overdose Alerts for Rapid Response (WiSOARR) system will help the state's efforts to address overdose epidemic