MADISON (WKOW) -- Wisconsin health officials reported eight new deaths to COVID-19 and 48 hospitalizations in new data released Wednesday.

(CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL DHS DASHBOARD)

The Department of Health Services reported 12,196 new test results since yesterday, of which 1,408— or 11.5 percent — came back positive, according to new numbers released today.

The remaining tests returned negative results. However, a negative test only means the person tested did not have the disease at the time. They could still contract COVID-19.

Measuring the percentage of new cases returned in tests each day helps differentiate if increases in cases are due to greater spread or more testing, according to DHS.

(App users, see the daily reports and charts HERE.)

The seven-day average of daily reported positive cases rose to 1,340, up from 886 a week ago.

DHS reported eight new deaths, raising the total to 1,228 people (1.3 percent of positive cases).

The state reported 10,788 new negative test results.

Of all positive cases reported since the pandemic began, 80,627 or 87 percent, are considered recovered.

The state reported 48 new hospitalizations. Wisconsin hospitals are currently treating 342 patients with COVID-19. Of those, 95 are in intensive care units.

DHS now has a county-level dashboard to assess the COVID-19 activity level in counties and Healthcare Emergency Readiness Coalition regions that measure what DHS calls the burden in each county. View the dashboard HERE.

Percentage of positive cases

Date Percentage Sept. 16 11.5 Sept. 15 11 Sept. 14 19.7 Sept. 13 20.5 Sept. 12 11.6 Sept. 11 13.8 Sept. 10 17.5

Deaths, hospitalizations due to COVID-19

Date New

deaths New

hospitalizations Total

deaths Total

hosp. Sept. 16 8 48 1228 6454 Sept. 15 10 56 1220 6406 Sept. 14 0 18 1210 6350 Sept. 13 1 23 1210 6332 Sept. 12 12 46 1209 6309 Sept. 11 4 41 1197 6263 Sept. 10 10 49 1193 6222

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services updates the statistics each day on its website around 2 p.m.

(Our entire coronavirus coverage is available here.)

The new strain of the coronavirus causes the disease COVID-19. Symptoms include cough, fever and shortness of breath. A full list of symptoms is available on the Centers for Disease Control website.

In severe cases, pneumonia can develop. Those most at risk include the elderly, people with heart or lung disease as well as anyone at greater risk of infection.

For most, the virus is mild, presenting similarly to a common cold or the flu.

Anyone who thinks they may have the disease should call ahead to a hospital or clinic before going in for a diagnosis. Doing so gives the staff time to take the proper precautions so the virus does not spread.

Those needing emergency medical services should continue to use 911.

(County by county results are available here).