February 18: Weekly Driftless Region COVID-19 update Editors note: this story is updated as of Wednesday, Feb. 17, in the COVID variants section to reflect growth in numbers. DRIFTLESS - Over the past week COVID-19, diagnoses statewide increased from 550,639 on Monday, Feb. 8 to 555,708 on Monday, Feb. 15. That is a statewide increase of 5,339 cases. The number of deaths increased from 6,055 to 6,166, an additional 111 deaths, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) on Monday announced a $6.1 million investment to support community-based organizations in raising awareness and access to COVID-19 vaccine among communities that have faced both historical and current barriers to healthcare services and the COVID-19 vaccine. $3.1 million of the investment will fund efforts to activate organizations to serve as trusted messengers to build vaccine confidence and reduce barriers that may impede vaccinations in urban and rural areas.