Oshkosh pandemic diary April 16: Two more tests come back positive, bending the local curve upward

Winnebago County Health Department

By Miles Maguire
Winnebago County is not flattening the curve.

The Health Department reported Thursday two more positive tests for coronavirus, bringing the total to 33. The positive test count is now more than double what it was at the beginning of the month.

In its daily update, the department warned, “Community spread is happening in Winnebago County.” But it’s not clear what is driving the higher count.

One factor could be the cluster of cases that has emerged in the last week at Oshkosh Correctional Institution. Another factor may be the increased availability of testing.

According to new data from the Department of Health Services, testing capacity for the state jumped dramatically this week, from 3,888 daily tests as of Monday to 7,611 on Thursday. Thirty labs are now performing tests for Wisconsin.

Separately the DHS reported a statewide increase of 154 positive tests to a total of 3,875. The number of Wisconsin residents who have died from COVID-19 rose by 15 to 187 as of Wednesday evening, DHS said.

Additional county data can be found here; additional state data can be found here.


Golf courses to open; schools to stay closed
Gov. Tony Evers extended the safer-at-home order until May 26. His announcement on Thursday identified these changes:

Businesses and activities ramping up service and operations 

• Public libraries: Public libraries may now provide curbside pickup of books and other library materials.
• Golf Courses: Golf courses may open again, with restrictions including scheduling and paying for tee times online or by phone only. Clubhouses and pro shops must remain closed.
• Nonessential Businesses: Nonessential businesses will now be able to do more things as Minimum Basic Operations, including deliveries, mailings, and curbside pickup. Nonessential businesses must notify workers of whether they are necessary for the Minimum Basic Operations.
• Arts and Crafts Stores: Arts and craft stores may offer expanded curbside pickup of materials necessary to make face masks or other personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Aesthetic or Optional Exterior Work: Aesthetic or optional exterior lawn care or construction is now allowed under the extended order, so long as it can be done by one person.

Safe business practices

• Safe Business Practices for Essential Businesses and Operations: Essential Businesses and Operations must increase cleaning and disinfection practices, ensure that only necessary workers are present, and adopt policies to prevent workers exposed to COVID-19 or symptomatic workers from coming to work.
• Safe Business Practices for Retailers that Essential Businesses and Operations: Retail stores that remain open to the public as Essential Businesses and Operations must limit the number of people in the store at one time, must provide proper spacing for people waiting to enter, and large stores must offer at least two hours per week of dedicated shopping time for vulnerable populations.
• Supply Chain: Essential Businesses and Operations that are essential because they supply, manufacture, or distribute goods and services to other Essential Businesses and Operations can only continue operations that are necessary to those businesses they supply. All other operations must continue as Minimum Basic Operations.

Other changes

• Schools: Public and private K-12 schools will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.
• Local parks and open space: Local health officials may close public parks and open spaces if it becomes too difficult to ensure social distancing or the areas are being mistreated.
• Travel: People are strongly encouraged to stay close to home, not travel to second homes or cabins, and not to travel out-of-state if it is not necessary.
• Tribal Nations: Tribal Nations are sovereign over their territory and can impose their own restrictions. Non-tribal members should be respectful of and avoid nonessential travel to Tribal territory. Local government must coordinate, collaborate, and share information with Tribal Nations.
• Duration: The changes in this order go into effect on April 24, 2020. The order will remain in effect until 8 a.m. on May 26, 2020.