Wisconsin coronavirus deaths surpass 3,000

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --- Wisconsin has reached yet another grim milestone following the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

As of Saturday, Nov. 21, the state has surpassed 3,000 deaths with 51 new deaths. This brings the total to 3,005. 

There was a total of 6,224 new cases on Saturday, bringing the total number of cases in Wisconsin to 351,169.

There are currently 20 patients at the Alternate Care Facility at State Fair Park.

According to health officials, 380 people have died since Sunday. This marks the deadliest week the state has seen since the beginning of the pandemic.

It is great sadness that we report that #Wisconsin has reached another grim milestone in the #COVID19 pandemic--just over 3,000 people have died from the virus. Remember, #YouStopTheSpread. Learn how at https://t.co/14bIZPJtbL#MaskUpWIpic.twitter.com/vxrX7XvUxg

— WIDeptHealthServices (@DHSWI) November 21, 2020

This comes just one day after Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers declared a new public health emergency declaration -- extending the statewide mask mandate to 2021.

Emergency Order #95 and #1 are effective immediately and will expire after 60 days or with a subsequent superseding order.

 Gov. Evers said Wisconsin hospitals are overwhelmed and facing staffing shortages. A news release from Evers' office says, Wisconsin hospitals in every Healthcare Emergency Readiness Coalition Region are strained, reporting that their intensive care units are often full and that they may no longer be able to accept new patients. 

More than a third of all hospitals in Wisconsin are operating at peak capacity and are unable to admit new patients.

21% of medical surgical beds and 32% of intensive care unit beds are occupied by COVID-19 patients. 

Over a third of Wisconsin hospitals are reporting critical staffing shortages.

42% of hospitals expect a critical staffing shortage within a week. Multiple systems have already requested and received staffing assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.