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| Winnebago County Health Department |
By Miles Maguire
Four more Winnebago County residents, including two in their 30s and one under 30, have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total to 16 as of Wednesday evening.
The county's updated breakdown of patients by age and gender shows that five of the patients are in their 50s, and one is over 80. Three are in their 40s, and two apiece are in their 30s, 60s and their 70s. One is between 20 and 29.
Eight are female, and eight male.
The number of negative tests rose to 232, an increase of 27 from the day before, according to the county Health Department.
The number of pending tests rose by 21 to 137.
The county said the count does not include data from the city of Menasha or the city of Appleton, which both extend into other jurisdictions.
Separately the Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported a statewide increase of 199 cases to a total of 1,550. A total of 24 Wisconsin residents have died from COVID-19
Assistance for Oshkosh businesses rises to $800,000
The panel that oversees the flow of funds in the city’s special taxing districts agreed Wednesday to make $250,000 available to help downtown businesses.
At a meeting of the Joint Review Board, County Executive Mark Harris also noted that that county has agreed to make $750,000 available with the stipulation that no more than $300,000 can be lent in the city. The city had previously made $250,000 available, bringing the current total to $800,000.
Also at the meeting, the board discussed the possibility of tapping other tax district balances, but the approval process will take at least another month.
Social distancing measure improves
As of Wednesday Winnebago County residents have improved their social distancing score from “C” to “A-,” according to an analysis from Unacast, a company that specializes in GPS-based location data.
As of 11:30 a.m. the company said it detected a 55 to 70% change in average mobility, based on distance traveled, which equates to a “B,” and a 70% change in nonessential visits, which equates to an “A.”
Thousands of county absentee ballots are MIA
Only about a third of the absentee ballots that have been reported sent to Winnebago County voters have been returned, the Wisconsin Election Commission said Wednesday.
The commission said that 32,818 have been requested, 32,424 sent and 11,393 received.
On social media many Oshkosh voters have expressed dismay about how long it has been taking for them to receive the ballots that they requested. The city has been urging voters to vote on an absentee basis to minimize the chances of COVID-19 infections that could result from in person voting.
Among those who have waited for more than a week for a requested ballot is Gordon Hintz, whose district takes in much of the city and who serves in the state Assembly as minority leader.
On his Facebook page, he suggested that citizens stop making requests for absentee ballots and consider voting on an in person absentee basis by visiting City Hall through Friday. The number of people allowed in the building at one time is limited, however.
Voters who have absentee ballots are urged to put them in the City Hall drop box rather than relying on the mail.
The United States Postal Service did not respond to a request for comment.
In other election news, the Oshkosh Public Library staff is now available to witness the completion and signing of absentee ballots for Oshkosh residents during regular library hours. Here’s what the library says:
- Do not complete the ballot before coming to the library. You must fill out the ballot and sign the envelope in front of a witness.
- You must bring Photo ID (driver’s license, military ID, state ID card , etc.).
- To ensure safety for the public and our staff, only one person will be admitted to the building at a time.
- After voting it is recommended that you drop your ballot off at the City Hall drop box.
The city issued this statement Wednesday: “There has been some confusion regarding an isolation center being set up in Oshkosh. There is not an isolation center set up in Oshkosh at this time nor is there a need for one. However, we are working with other entities to have one ready if the need ever does arrive here.”
Poetry contest launched
Since April is National Poetry Month, the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau has launched its first-ever city-wide poetry contest.
“Poetry has a powerful and inspirational way of speaking to people,” said Amy Albright, executive director of the Oshkosh CVB. “In the unprecedented times we find ourselves in today, we need as much inspiration as we can get.”
Poems should be about Oshkosh, not necessarily about the current pandemic conditions. But “given the current circumstances, we understand that the pandemic might influence a person's thoughts and feelings about Oshkosh, which might be reflected in their poem,” said Marketing Manager Justin DeJager.
The free poetry contest is open to anyone who wants to write an original poem about Oshkosh. Participants are encouraged to include drawings or photographs related to their poem if they have them.
“Our Oshkosh Poetry Contest is a free and fun way to express your feelings about Oshkosh,” said Albright. “We want to know how you feel and what you love about our great city.”
Everyone who submits a poem will receive an OSH sticker. Participants who have a poem featured by the Oshkosh CVB will receive an Oshkosh tote bag. Everyone who submits a poem will be included in a drawing to win gift cards to local shops and restaurants. Two grand prize winners will each receive a $100 Downtown Oshkosh gift card.
The deadline to submit a poem is April 20. Poems can be submitted by email to info@visitoshkosh.com or mailed in to the Oshkosh CVB, 100 N. Main St., Ste. 112, Oshkosh, WI 54901.
Oshkosh fire department joins regional pact
Six fire departments in the Fox Valley announced Wednesday that they would join forces to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The agreement “allows for completely borderless sharing of resources in a time where nearly every emergency response and healthcare system could be quickly overwhelmed,” the departments said in a press release. Grand Chute Fire Chief Tim Bantes will serve as the regional coordinator for this agreement.
The participating communities are the town of Grand Chute Fire Department, Appleton Fire Department, Kaukauna Fire Department, village of Fox Crossing Fire Department, Neenah-Menasha Fire Rescue and the Oshkosh Fire Department.
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