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BREAKING - COVID-19: Five cases confirmed, one in recovery announced
The Clay County Health Department updated the confirmed cases of COVID-19 to five Saturday afternoon. Four of the unidentified patients are currently in self-isolation at home, while the fifth case is hospitalized.
Clay County Health Nurse Kim Hyatt said one confirmed case is already in recovery as of Saturday.
The Indiana State Health Department reports that 31 tests have been sent out for residents living in Clay County. When those results are determined, local health officials receive the information immediately after the laboratories complete the reports.
Officials confirm there is a small lag between the state’s information, which can be viewed online at coronavirus.in.gov/ or in.gov/, and the local information.
Clay County is working closely with the local and state officials to ensure contacts of the patients are identified and monitored, and that all infection protocols are being implemented.
No additional information is available due to the federal law - Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
The first positive case in Clay Cay county was announced March 28.
Officials say the number is going to continue to rise as more test results come back throughout April. As different health agencies are requesting testing, the tests are being sent out to various laboratories, and many are not local. Some tests have been sent as far away as California. This increases the amount of time to transport the tests and creating a potential backlog for testing at the laboratories. Test results take 24-48 hours to be completed.
Once a diagnosis - either negative or positive - the health department in the patient’s residing county is notified of the result, as well as their doctors.