Biggest Single Day Coronavirus Count

Now 585 COVID-19 cases, 7th death reported in Wisconsin

On a day that saw the U.S. approach its first 1,000 deaths linked to the coronavirus and the death toll worldwide surpassing 20,000, Wednesday marked Wisconsin’s biggest 24-hour growth in COVID-19 cases.

The state Department of Health Services reported 585 cases of COVID-19 in its daily 2 p.m. update, an increase of 128 from Tuesday. DHS also reported a 6th death, confirmed by public health officials in Dane County. Later in the day, a 60-year-old man was reported to be the state’s 7th death, according to a report by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Grant, Iowa and Monroe counties have seen their first instances of the respiratory infection, raising to 33 the number of counties with confirmed cases.

Here is a summary of coronavirus coverage from UpNorthNews and other Wisconsin media outlets:

GOP Leaders Agree with Evers to Keep April 7 Election – Despite concerns about public health threats at polling places, the Legislature’s two Republican leaders said Wednesday they agreed with Gov. Ton Evers on continuing to hold the April 7 spring elections which include a state Supreme Court race, a Democratic presidential primary, and numerous local offices and ballot questions. 

A Tidal Wave of Absentee Ballot Requests Hits Local Election Clerks – Clerks throughout the state share statistics demonstrating the popularity of mailed ballots. Many are also looking for poll workers as some elderly volunteers decide to stay home during the health emergency.

Green Bay Is Suing to Delay the April 7 Election – The city is asking a federal judge to push Election Day back due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Price Gouging – The state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection went right to work when the public health emergency gave the agency greater power to enforce laws against price gouging. DATCP announced it has investigated dozens of complaints, checked prices at more than 100 stores statewide, and has sent 16 “cease and desist” letters to companies that are suspected of “raising prices unlawfully during this period of economic disruption.” One of the companies is accused of illegally high prices for the N95 masks so desperately sought by health care workers dealing with COVID-19 patients. The Associated Press reports letters also went to Menards, Walgreens, WalMart and Ace Hardware. Items where prices were sharply hiked included milk, hand cleaner and bleach. You can report suspected price gouging to DATCP by clicking HERE.

USPS Hiring – Among the operations actually seeing an increase in activity during the pandemic is the U.S. Postal Service which has announced it is hiring hundreds of people to serve in processing centers and post offices across its Wisconsin and northern Illinois region, according to WTMJ-TV.