Wisconsin reports 539 new coronavirus cases as state officials urge residents to stay home for the holiday weekend

Wisconsin health officials confirmed 539 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday and asked residents, particularly young people, to avoid large gatherings for the holiday weekend. 

Of the 29,739 positive cases confirmed to date, one in five have been recorded in the last two weeks, the Department of Health Services said Thursday. Nearly a quarter of the cases are those in the 20-29 age group, a trend occurring nationwide. 

In a statement issued Thursday, Gov. Tony Evers asked people to avoid parties and get-togethers that typically take place on and around July 4. 

"We know this is a time people like to celebrate with friends, but COVID-19 is still spreading in our state, and we need everyone to take the necessary precautions,” Evers said.

The 539 new cases make up about 4.2% of total tests processed since Wednesday, a rate that has held relatively steady in the last few days after a high of 7% positive tests on June 28, the highest since late May. 

The state reported seven more deaths Thursday, bringing the total to 793. 

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Hospitalizations are still at some of the lowest levels since the virus hit the state in earnest, with fewer than 300 COVID-19 patients per day in hospitals across the state since mid-June. On Thursday, 236 people were hospitalized, according to the Wisconsin Hospital Association. 

The health department on Wednesday updated its weekly ratings for coronavirus activity in each of Wisconsin's 72 counties. The overall rating for Wisconsin — based on a combination of total new cases per 100,000 people over the past two weeks and percent change — remained "high" for a second week.

County ratings as of July 1 (change in activity level from last week in parentheses):

• High: Brown, Calumet (up), Clark, Columbia (up), Dane, Douglas (up), Dunn (up), Eau Claire, Forest (up), Grant, Iowa (up), Iron (up), Jefferson, Juneau (up), Kenosha, Kewaunee (up), La Crosse, Lafayette, Manitowoc, Marathon, Menominee (up), Milwaukee, Monroe, Outagamie, Ozaukee (up), Pierce (up), Portage, Racine, Rock, St. Croix (up), Trempealeau, Walworth, Washington (up), Waukesha, Waupaca, Winnebago
• Medium: Adams, Barron, Buffalo, Chippewa, Crawford, Dodge, Door (up), Florence, Fond du Lac, Green, Green Lake, Jackson, Langlade, Marinette, Marquette, Oconto, Polk, Sauk, Sawyer (up), Shawano, Sheboygan, Taylor, Vernon, Waushara, Wood
• Low: Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Lincoln, Oneida (down), Pepin, Price, Richland, Rusk (down), Vilas, Washburn

Contact Madeline Heim at 920-996-7266 or mheim@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @madeline_heim.