CDC reports 1M Covid deaths in the US as Wisconsin sees rise in cases

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Nearly two and a half years into the pandemic, the CDC reports 1-million Americans have now died from complications of Covid-19.

Leaders at DHS here in Wisconsin say every death -- from the first one in February of 2020 to today -- has been difficult to come to terms with.

"As deaths became more and more common, it no longer has the same emotional response because we tend to get used to hearing about people dying," said Dr. Ryan Westergaard, DHS chief medical officer. "We need to continue to work hard to make sure that every life that can be saved is saved."

Covid cases are once again on the rise in Wisconsin. The latest DHS data shows a seven-day average of nearly 2,200 cases each day, and about 14% of tests are coming back positive.

Only 27 of the state's 72 counties are in the low level of Covid transmission.