COVID UPDATE: Clay County stays in 'red'; free tests continue

The Cow Palace in Forest Park has been a hotspot for Clay County residents to get free COVID-19 tests.

Photo by Ivy Jacobs

UPDATE: As of noon Wednesday, the Indiana State Department of Health downgraded Clay County to ORANGE status.

However, COVID-19 data continues to show a spike.

Showing 242 new tests performed in 24-hours, with an increase of 31 new positive cases (bringing the overall total to 1,225), a new death reported on Nov. 23, and a 25.7% Unique Positivity Rate.

The data shows 7,535 residents have been tested, with an overall total of 12,463 tests completed since the pandemic began in March.

The Times will provide updates when new information is provided.

THE PREVIOUS STORY WRITTEN NOV. 24, 2020

The Indiana State Health Department confirmed Clay County remained in the RED, designating a high spread alert for COVID-19 Tuesday. Reports show 158 new COVID-19 tests were completed since Monday, with 42 new positive cases, bringing the overall local total to 1,198 since the beginning of the pandemic in March.

Clay County Health Department officials confirm 773 residents were tested last week at the free ISDH drive-through nasopharyngeal swab test site at the Cow Palace in Forest Park. The testing site is extending the service through Saturday this week.

On Tuesday, cars were lined up throughout the day in the parking lot to be tested. The testing site will be closed on Thursday — Thanksgiving Day — but open today and Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and Friday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

According to the ISDH, on Tuesday, a total of 7,404 unique individuals out of an estimated 26,501 Clay County residents have been tested, with an overall 12,224 tests completed.

There have been 22 deaths officially reported in Clay County, with COVID-19 listed as a factor. The newest one was reported on Nov. 20.

LOCAL UPDATES:

Long Term Care Facilities

Due to the data at the state level being delayed about long-term care facilities (LTC), the four local facilities update The Brazil Times to remain transparent about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic at their facilities.

• Cloverleaf Healthcare of Knightsville — Administrator Jesse Miller said no residents or staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, with 32 recoveries. The facility has had 40 employees and 59 residents affected by COVID-19. “We currently have 15 active resident cases of COVID, and five active employees cases of COVID,” said Miller.

The facility reports 12 residents have passed away due to COVID.

• Exceptional Living Center of Brazil & Towne Park Assisted Living — Hutsonwood Chief Operating Officer John Noffsinger provides information for both Exceptional Living Center of Brazil and Towne Park Assisted Living. He said both facilities are currently COVID-19 free.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, Noffsinger said 21 residents and 24 employees at Exceptional Living Center contracted the virus, but no deaths were reported. He added the facility has been free of the virus for the last six weeks. Although a few people have been dealing with the flu, they are recovering.

• Villas of Holly Brook Indiana — Executive Director at Villas of Holly Brook & Reflections Memory Care Shannon Willmore updated COVID-19 data to include 26 residents and six staff members who recently contracted COVID-19. However, they are in various stages of recovery.