• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Health

Wisconsin sees biggest nationwide surge in COVID cases, some tied to the NBA Finals

By
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez
Down Arrow Button Icon
August 5, 2021, 4:30 PM ET

Wisconsin was the state with the biggest surge in COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks, with an increase of more than 331%, as it sees a rise in infections—some of which have been linked to the NBA Finals.

When the Milwaukee Bucks won their first championship in almost 50 years, more than 100,000 people are estimated to have attended the last game and a giant outdoor watch party as well as a celebratory parade in the city later that week.

Health officials ultimately identified about 500 cases that could be tied back to the large crowds that gathered in the city during the NBA Finals, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Officials said at least 491 people had visited the area around the stadium or attended a Bucks game before becoming infected, but Wisconsin Department of Health Services officials could not definitively say where the individuals had contracted the virus.

Wisconsin had 692,401 total cases and an average of 1,027 daily cases as of Aug. 4, according to New York Times data. The number of average daily cases is at its highest level in the state since early February.

The Delta variant has spread rapidly among unvaccinated people this summer and now accounts for most new cases of COVID. In Wisconsin, 68% of adults have received one dose of a vaccine, and 63% have been fully vaccinated. This is slightly lower than the 70% of all U.S. adults who have received at least one dose.

Milwaukee County alone experienced a 310% increase in cases per 100,000 residents in the past week, according to New York Times data. Some more rural counties such as Vilas and Lincoln have seen increases in the past week of more than 1,000%.

Subscribe to Fortune Daily to get essential business stories straight to your inbox each morning.

About the Author
By Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Health

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

Latest in Health

SuccessLongevity
CEO coach to the Fortune 500: The most powerful way to tackle 2026 is assuming you’ll live till 130
By Bill HoogterpJanuary 10, 2026
1 day ago
mens hair loss product
HealthDietary Supplements
The 4 Best Hair Loss Treatments for Men in 2026: Tested and Ranked
By Christina SnyderJanuary 9, 2026
2 days ago
dairy
HealthFood and drink
How the new protein and dairy diet flies in the face of modern guidelines, according to a nutritionist who served on the advisory board until 2024
By Cristina Palacios and The ConversationJanuary 9, 2026
2 days ago
HealthDietary Supplements
The 5 Best Hair Growth Products in 2026: Tested for Thickness and Health
By Christina SnyderJanuary 9, 2026
2 days ago
School drop-off
Successskills
The child prodigy who beats you at chess when you’re a kid is going to fade away in adulthood 90% of the time, study says
By Jake AngeloJanuary 9, 2026
2 days ago
Bill Gates attend a meeting of Bloomberg at the Plaza Hote on September 23, 2025 in New York City.
HealthBill Gates
Bill Gates warns the world is going ‘backwards’ and gives 5-year deadline before we enter a new Dark Age
By Eleanor PringleJanuary 9, 2026
2 days ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Health
Bill Gates warns the world is going 'backwards' and gives 5-year deadline before we enter a new Dark Age
By Eleanor PringleJanuary 9, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
C-Suite
Silicon Valley billionaire flies coach out of solidarity: 'If I'm going to ask my employees to do it, I need to do it, too'
By Nick LichtenbergJanuary 9, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
As U.S. debt soars past $38 trillion, the flood of corporate bonds is a growing threat to the Treasury supply
By Jason MaJanuary 10, 2026
15 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Diary of a CEO founder says he hired someone with 'zero' work experience because she 'thanked the security guard by name' before the interview
By Emma BurleighJanuary 8, 2026
3 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
Gen Z is rebelling against the economy with ‘disillusionomics,’ tackling near 6-figure debt by turning life into a giant list of income streams
By Jacqueline MunisJanuary 10, 2026
24 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Bill Gates donated record $8 billion to Melinda French Gates' foundation as part of their divorce settlement
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJanuary 9, 2026
2 days ago

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.