County Health Department talks about confirmation of COVID-19 case

At noon Saturday, March 28, the Clay County Health Department announced the first positive case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Clay County.

Clay County Health Nurse Kim Hyatt confirmed the results. (No new cases were announced as of press time Monday, March 30, 2020.

“If people would just stay home and follow the safe handwashing and social distancing techniques, health officials could get a handle on this,” Hyatt told The Brazil Times Saturday. “We need people to continue to do what we all have been told to do. We can get this under control.”

Clay County Health Department is located at 18 N. Walnut St., Brazil, IN 47834.

Hyatt issued the press release, which stated the unidentified patient was self-isolating at home, and no additional information would be provided due to privacy laws(HIPPA). However, local and state officials are working together to identify, contact, and monitor others the patient may have come into contact with to ensure all infection control protocols are implemented.

As the numbers of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continue to rise as more information is made available, the public is urged to remain calm.

“The numbers are going to continue to rise as more test results come back across the board,” said Hyatt. “A lot of different health facilities are doing testing. So those tests are being sent out to laboratories, and many are not local. Some tests have been sent all the way to California.”

Hyatt said test results could come back within 24-48 hours. However, the transportation of the tests to the lab is taking longer than expected.

“Only symptomatic people - those who are currently sick - are being tested at this time,” she said, admitting that can be frustrating for everyone, especially those who come down with colds or influenza. “It is possible that by the time a test result comes back to us, like from California, the patient is recovering or not showing symptoms anymore. That is good because the patient is recovering. That is a positive thing, and we all need to realize that.”

The COVID-19 pandemic is a frightening situation for everyone., which has been witnessed through reports of hoarding supplies, as well as some people disregarding the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention’s safety guidelines.

“If people would just stay home and follow the safe handwashing and social distancing techniques, health officials could get a handle on this. We need people to continue to do what we all have been told to do. We can get this under control...” Clay County Health Nurse Kim Hyatt

On Friday, Gov. Eric J. Holcomb issued a public health declaration that calls on state agencies to continue their due diligence and cooperation in responding to COVID-19, which allows Indiana to seek government funding to stop the spread of coronavirus.

“We are all working together during this health crisis to make sure the public and our communities are safe,” said Hyatt. “We appreciate everyone’s patience. Everyone needs to keep calm and self-isolating at home. This is a great opportunity to reconnect as families, as communities, and get some things done at home while doing our individual best to work together to help contain this virus for the good of everyone.”

Talking openly and honestly about what COVID-19 means within families, and especially with children who might be experiencing anxiety and fear, is a good thing.

“It’s a good way to handle the stress of the situation,” said Hyatt. “Also discussing and coming up with a family plan of action for how they will handle the situation if someone becomes ill with COVID-19, or any disease really, is a way to relieve stress and anxiety. We’re going to get through this.”