Sarah Hauer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A sign that Wisconsin's social distancing efforts may have successfully begun to slow the spread of the coronavirus came Monday, with an asterisk.
The single-day increase in positive COVID-19 tests was below 100. The state reported its lowest number of new cases — 87 — since Gov. Tony Evers' safer-at-home order took effect March 25.
More than 3,400 cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed in the state by the Department of Health Services as of a Monday briefing. Around 430 coronavirus patients are hospitalized with around 350 on ventilators, the Wisconsin Hospital Association reported Monday.
Overall, 154 had died in the state, according to DHS.
State officials said in a Monday press briefing that the lower increase may have been partly due to fewer people seeking care over the holiday weekend, but Evers said "you're starting to see Wisconsin flattening the curve."
It's too early to know how in-person voting last week affected the spread. During the holiday weekend as families celebrated Easter and Passover, social distancing could have also relaxed.
More time is needed to determine definitively if there is a downward trend, Milwaukee Health Commissioner Jeanette Kowalik said.
“Just look for the next two weeks to see if numbers continue to flatten or if we'll see a spike,” Kowalik said.
In anticipation of a spike in cases, a State Fair overflow facility is set to open next week.
While overall new cases were down, the number of new cases in some areas of the state are increasing. In Brown County, 30 more people were diagnosed with the coronavirus this weekend, bringing the county's total to 75 as of Monday. It was the most significant increase since the first cases were reported late last month.
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