Virus Leads Wisconsin State Prisons To Suspend Admissions

Officials Say They Will Allow Some Essential Transfers, Work With Counties

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A coil of barbed wire along the walls of a prison
Fred Dunn (CC-BY-NC)

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections says it’s no longer accepting admissions to its state prisons and juvenile facilities in an effort to slow down spread of the coronavirus.

Corrections officials said they will allow some essential transfers and work with the counties on any potential tweaks to the order.

RELATED: Doctor At Waupun Prison Contracts COVID-19 As Advocates Push For Release Of Inmates

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The announcement came after Milwaukee County authorities said a 69-year-old man who traveled to Wisconsin from out of state died Saturday from COVID-19, raising the total number of state deaths from the virus to four.

The man reported to Milwaukee County Hospital on March 14 complaining of shortness of breath. Officials say he had chronic health issues.