By Shereen Siewert

Four people have died in Wisconsin as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, with a total number of 281 confirmed cases statewide, according to the Department of Health Services.

Saturday’s tally is up from Friday’s number of 206 infected and three dead. Marathon County has one confirmed case to date.

Judy Burrows of the Marathon County Health Department on Friday was unable to provide the number of tests performed or pending county-wide.

“Because tests are conducted by so many different providers, and the tracking data base is a state wide system, it is difficult for me to give an accurate number,” Burrows said, adding that she would try to get the information requested by Wausau Pilot & Review.

Also on Friday, Gov. Tony Evers ordered all hair salons, tattoo shops, nail salons, barber shops, tanning studios, day spas and body art establishments to close, while clarifying rules for bars and restaurants offering curbside pickup and delivery.

The Johns Hopkins University & Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center reported Saturday there have been 299,061 cases of COVID-19 confirmed worldwide. Of those, 91,564 have recovered, while 12,762 have died, according to the university’s mapping system.

To date, 29 Wisconsin counties have confirmed cases. Community spread has been identified in Brown, Columbia, Dane, Milwaukee and Kenosha Counties, according to DHS officials.

Meanwhile, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections said Saturday it is no longer accepting admissions to its state prisons and juvenile facilities in an effort to slow down spread of the coronavirus.

Corrections officials said they will allow some essential transfers and work with the counties on any potential tweaks to the order.

The announcement came after Milwaukee County authorities said a 69-year-old man who traveled to Wisconsin from out of state died Saturday from COVID-19, raising the total number of state deaths from the virus to four.

The man reported to Milwaukee County Hospital on March 14 complaining of shortness of breath, according to a release from the county medical examiner’s office. The man had chronic health issues, the office reported. It’s unclear why he came to Milwaukee.

No further information on the man was released.

For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.