Oshkosh pandemic diary April 6: First death reported; community spread detected; cabin use discouraged

Winnebago County Health Department

On the eve of the spring elections, the Winnebago County Health Department reported the first death from COVID-19, repeated its warning of community spread and “strongly” discouraged travel to vacation homes.

The county Health Department described the deceased as "a hospitalized male in his 60s with underlying health conditions."

A pair of legal decisions on Monday, one from the Wisconsin Supreme Court and one from the U.S. Supreme Court, leave voting procedures in place despite delays in the mailing of absentee ballots and concerns about voters congregating at polling places.

The county has now determined that COVID-19 is spreading in the community and is no longer limited to those who have had travel exposure or contact with someone known to have the disease.

As part of its Monday evening update, the department warned against use of vacation cabins.

"Protect our communities by avoiding travel to cabins," the department said. “Travel to seasonal homes is strongly discouraged. If you choose to travel to a second home, you must immediately self-quarantine for 14 days.”

The department also said two more Winnebago County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total to 23 as of Monday evening.

The county's breakdown of patients by age and gender shows that seven of the patients are in their 50s. Four are in their 60s, and four in their 40s. Three are in their 70s, and three their 30s. One is between 20 and 29, and one is over 80.

Thirteen are male, and 10 female.

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 173 cases to a total of 2,440. A total of 77 Wisconsin residents have died from COVID-19 as of Monday afternoon, an increase of nine from the day before.