Oshkosh Correctional Institution now has 8 confirmed coronavirus cases--up from 2 last week

The Department of Corrections says the Oshkosh prison had more than 2,000 inmates as of last June.

By Miles Maguire
The Wisconsin Department of Corrections reported Wednesday afternoon that eight inmates at the Oshkosh Correctional Institution have tested positive for COVID-19.

A week ago the prison had only two confirmed cases.

The Department of Corrections did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But the Winnebago County Health Department said it is working with the state to address the situation.

OCI "has been working cooperatively with the Winnebago County Health Department," said Ashley Mukasa, the department's communications specialist.

"The Health Department has a team of nurses to support this situation," she said. "WCHD has assisted with obtaining a Powered Air-Purifying Respirator or PAPR for the correctional facility staff (courtesy of the Fox Valley Healthcare Emergency Readiness Coalition), additional sample collection kits and guidance from Wisconsin DHS."

The OCI cases represent 80% of all the confirmed cases among inmates in the prison system, according to the Corrections Department website. The other two positive tests came back at Columbia Correctional Institution. 

A total of 96 inmates have been tested as of Wednesday afternoon, including 22 at OCI. 

Confirmed cases among staff at adult institutions have been reported at Columbia, Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility and Waupun Correctional Institution. Cases have also been confirmed at Community Corrections Region 3 in Milwaukee.