COVID-19 Local updates

The first death of a Clay County resident due to COVID-19 was confirmed Tuesday by Clay County Public Health Nurse Kim Hyatt.

The resident had been hospitalized for the illness, dying Monday. Further details are not released due to the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

On Thursday, Hyatt confirmed the total of positive COVID-19 cases in Clay County remains at 19, out of 178 tests requested by various health officials. One unidentified patient remains hospitalized, with the remaining 17 in various stages of recovery.

Hyatt said she would also be checking into the information regarding the local recovery rate in the county.

Official information from the ISDH reports 13,039 positive cases have been reported among the 6.7 million residents in Indiana. A total of 72,040 residents have been tested, and 706 deaths reported to the ISDH. (The numbers are considered to be provisional, reflecting only the information published to the ISDH.)

Of the remaining COVID-19 cases reported, Hyatt confirmed one remains hospitalized, and the remaining patients are in self-isolation, with six reported to have recovered.

During Gov. Eric Holcomb’s Thursday COVID-19 briefing, State Health Commissioner Kristina Box talked about the anticipated arrival of cotton-swab testing for COVID-19, which will help the Indiana State Department of Health and local health departments understand the outbreak better. The trial will allow for a study to determine how vast COVID-19 has spread throughout communities in Indiana, including antibody information.

This new test, some sent out in the mail and others performed at drive-through testing clinics, will not replace the current use of nasopharyngeal tests; inserting a special 6-inch cotton swab up both sides of a patient’s nose and moving it around for about 15 seconds.

The uncomfortable test is the primary way to determine and confirm a COVID-19 case. The new cotton swab testing and blood draw testing will help health officials learn about a broader spectrum of the population who are currently sick and those who have been exposed but never became symptomatic, or previously became ill and recovered. Residents selected to participate in the study are encouraged to participate once officially contacted by ISDH.

On March 6, ISDH confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in a Hoosier with recent travel, with the first confirmed case in Clay County on March 28. On March 16, ISDH reported the first death in Indiana due to COVID-19, with the first death in Clay County, April 20.

Learn more about the efforts to fight COVID-19 in Indiana by logging onto in.gov.

LOCAL UPDATES

• The Harmony Town Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, April 28, at 6:00 p.m. at the Harmony Community Center. The purpose of the meeting is to open and discuss quotes for the 2020-1 Community Crossing Grant.

• Clean up day at Carbon has been canceled.

• The Clay County Soil and Water Conservation District has canceled the tree orders for 2020. Information on future sign up opportunities will be available through Facebook, local papers, etc.

STATE UPDATES

Gov. Eric Holcomb confirmed the Stay-at-Home order for Indiana would continue until with “a few tweaks and weekly updating” until May 1 at 11:59 p.m. during his daily briefing. Holcomb said the goal is to reopen the state to return to regular business; however, it will be done in data-driven steps to ensure it is done right and with the health and safety of everyone.

Staying home is critical to reducing the spread of COVID-19 in your community. Adhering to this order will save lives, and it is the responsibility of every Hoosier to do their part.

However, if this new order is not followed, the Indiana State Department of Health and the Enforcement Response Team created by the executive order can take action against businesses.

Law enforcement will not be stopping drivers on their way to and from work, traveling for an essential activity such as going to the grocery store or just taking a walk.

State parks remain open, but campgrounds, welcome centers, inns, cabins, and other buildings are closed. Families can go outside and take a walk, run, ride a bike, go fishing, or boating, but they should continue to practice social distancing by remaining 6 feet away from other people.

Playgrounds remain closed because they pose a high risk of increasing spreading the virus. Gyms, fitness centers, and associated facilities are also closed to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

CDC guidance restricts gatherings, including religious services, to 10 or fewer people to slow the spread of COVID-19. Religious leaders are encouraged to continue live-streaming services while practicing social distancing with one another.