Health officials urge people to resume wearing masks as COVID-19 cases spike in central Wisconsin

Central Wisconsin health departments want people to start wearing masks again as COVID-19 cases surge throughout the region. 

Marathon, Wood and Lincoln counties all on Friday urged residents to take steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19 as they all report high levels of community spread. Portage County's current level of community spread is categorized as medium and has not issued an advisory like other central Wisconsin counties. 

Health officials ask that people wear well-fitting masks in public indoor spaces, be up to date on vaccinations and get tested and stay home if they feel sick. 

Here's a look at COVID-19 activity in the four counties according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Lincoln County

• 271.81 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people, a 27.1% increase from last week 
• 12 new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 people in the last week
• 2.7% of inpatient hospital beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients

Wood County

• 273.98 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people, a 9.3% increase from last week
• 12 new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 people in the last week
• 2.7% of inpatient hospital beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients 

Marathon County

• 288.15 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people, 2.7% decrease from last week  
• 12 new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 people in the last week
• 2.7% of inpatient hospital beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients 

Portage County

• 206.3 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people, which is the same rate as last week
• 4.2 new COVID-19 hospital admission per 100,000 people in the last week
• 3.7% of inpatient hospital were occupied by COVID-19 patients

The surge in cases in central Wisconsin comes as the U.S. surpassed 1 million COVID-19 deaths.

The state Department of Health Services on Friday reported high community spread in 18 Wisconsin counties, primarily in central, southeastern and northwestern parts of Wisconsin.

Many counties in the state remain at low and medium community spread even as central Wisconsin counties surge in cases. 

RELATED:Masks advised in Milwaukee due to 'high' level of COVID-19 community spread

RELATED:We've entered the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's what to know about pills and prevention in the coming months.

Contact reporter Alan Hovorka at 715-345-2252 or ahovorka@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ajhovorka.