Oshkosh pandemic diary April 17: New mapping tool sheds some light on locations of positive tests

U.S. Census BureaU

Census Tract 17 (upper left), which straddles I-41 and is the home to the Oshkosh Correctional Institution, is the only part of Winnebago County with a concentration of 10 or more COVID-19 cases, according to locational data released Friday.

A new mapping tool from the Department of Health Services provides a geographic breakdown of testing across the state. Many of the other census tracts in and around Oshkosh have had fewer than five positive tests, but the exact numbers are not specified.

There are six census tracts in Fond du Lac County with five cases or more, but none of the other counties surrounding Winnebago have such concentrations. 

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The county Health Department reported two more positive tests Friday, bringing the total to 35. Negative tests rose 29 to 697, and the number of pending tests fell three to 63.

Separately the DHS reported a statewide increase of 170 positive tests to a total of 4,045. The number of Wisconsin residents who have died from COVID-19 rose by eight to 205 as of Friday afternoon, DHS said.

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

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In a Facebook post, the city asked that residents use the bus system for “essential travel ONLY” and to wear a mask or other face covering to discourage the spread of COVID-19.