8 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Clay County, PPE still needed

Health officials, on Monday, announced there is a total of eight confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Clay County.

Clay County Health Nurse Kim Hyatt confirmed one case was already in recovery as of Saturday. Of the seven remaining cases, six are in self-isolation at home, and one is hospitalized.

No additional information is available due to the federal law - Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

FILE PHOTO - The Clay County Health Department is located at 18 N. Walnut St., Brazil.

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.

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) reported Monday 53 tests had 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.

Clay County health officials are working closely with the local and state officials to ensure contacts of the confirmed patients are being identified and monitored, and all infection protocols are implemented.

The Indiana State Health Department provided this information.

The arrival of COVID 19 in Clay County was announced with the first confirmed case on 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 sent out to various laboratories, and many are not local. Some tests have been sent as far away as California, which increases the amount of time to transport the tests and creating a potential backlog for testing at the laboratories.

However, the test results take 24-48 hours to be completed.

Once a diagnosis - either negative or positive - is confirmed, the health department in the patient’s residing county is notified of the result, as well as their doctors.

As of Monday, the total of positive cases of COVID-19 in Indiana was 4,944, with 26,161 residents tested, and 139 deaths reported. (The numbers are considered to be provisional, reflecting only the information reported to the ISDH.)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) donations

As the COVID-19 pandemic expands, the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) for first responders and healthcare workers on the front lines continues to grow.

Recognizing the urgency and willingness of Hoosiers wanting to help out, the ISDH has provided details on how.

All items should be in the manufacturer’s original packaging and unopened. Opened and/or homemade products cannot be accepted.

Items of greatest need are:

Masks - N-95, Earloop, Surgical

Gowns - Isolation, Non-descript

Glove - Nitrile, Sterile, Surgical

Eye Protection - Face Shields, Goggles

Other items in need include infection control kits, Hand sanitizer (any size), disinfectant wipes (Any size), and thermometers (forehead only).

Businesses that use PPE (such as nail salons, construction companies, medical or dental offices, or other organizations with an inventory of potentially life-saving PPE) that are not operating are encouraged to donate PPE supplies to help alleviate shortages for healthcare workers.

Individuals with smaller quantities of PPE to donate should offer items to the nearest local health department, hospital, EMS agency, nursing home, or other first responder or public safety agency in your community. This procedure will reduce travel and logistic issues.

Hoosiers who have specific PPE items to donate should contact the State of Indiana via email at covidresponse@iedc.in.gov. Please include quantities of each item along with a location address to help determine a drop-off point. Someone with the state will respond to work out the next steps for obtaining the donation.

To donate supplies to local agencies, contact Clay County Health Department’s Emergency Planning Coordinator Tom Champion or Clay County Emergency Management Director Rob Gambill.

Champion can be reached by email at championt@claycountyin.gov or phone at the Clay County Health Department’s number at 812-446-9021.

Gambill can be reached by email at rgambill@claycountyin.gov or by calling his office phone, which is 812-448-8400.