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TOP STORY OF THE DAY: COVID-19 Testing site busy
Clay County has 36 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Thursday, May 21, 2020.
Of the four new cases since Monday, one is hospitalized, bringing that total to two current. Clay County residents previously diagnosed with COVID-19 are either symptomatic and recovering at home in self-isolation (9) or have recovered (24). One reported death occurred on April 20.
Gov. Eric Holcomb and Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box both stressed during Wednesday’s press conference that it’s essential every Indiana resident realizes the risk of the COVID-19 virus has not disappeared.
Clay County Health Department officials confirm 503 residents have been tested as of May 21.
Local COVID-19 testing site
Around 2 p.m. Thursday, Clay County Public Health Nurse Kim Hyatt was at the free nasopharyngeal swab COVID-19 drive-thru testing site at Forest Park. Hyatt said approximately 100 residents had participated in the Indiana State Health Department testing process at that time, and a steady line of cars continued to line up until closing at 6 p.m.
The testing site will be open Friday and Saturday at 9 a.m.-6 p.m. No appointments are necessary. All participants must enter Forest Park from State Road 59 entrance and follow signs to the site. Participants will need to present a valid state ID.
The process can be completed in approximately 15-20 minutes when the site is not busy and may take up to 30 minutes if there is a line of vehicles waiting.
Health officials at the scene said people should receive notification of their test results within 3-5 days.
With the official testing site in the area, health officials are expecting Clay County could potentially have an increase in positive cases of COVID-19 within the next two weeks as the results come back.
The Indiana State Department of Health reports 29,936 positive cases among the 6.7 million residents in Indiana, with 202,995 residents tested, and the reported deaths at 1,764.
The ISDH is providing new information regarding probable deaths caused by COVID-19. These deaths, 149 as of May 21, are those for which a physician listed COVID-19 as a contributing cause based on X-rays, scans, and other clinical symptoms. None are reported in Clay County at this time.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) and the World Health Organization, there are 4,893,186 diagnosed cases worldwide, with 323,256 deaths reported.
BACK ON TRACK Update
Gov. Eric Holcomb announced the state would go to STAGE 3 of the Back On Track when he signs the initiative Friday, May 21. A copy of that process will be posted on The Times’ website (www.thebraziltimes.com) when available.
Brazil Rotary 4th of July Celebration UPDATE
The Rotary Club announced Thursday the annual 4th of July Celebration at Forest Park will not be like those of the past 84 years. However, Rotary President Chad Schopmeyer said the event would be scaled back, but it would still be a memorable time for the community to come together and enjoy it.
A three-day event is scheduled for July 3-5th, featuring a golf outing, local non-for-profit food vendors and other possible vendors, musical entertainment, and, of course, the annual fireworks.
The carnival, which raises the funds to pay for the annual fireworks display (estimated at $17,000-$20,000), has been canceled. On Tuesday, Schopmeyer said the Wabash Valley Community Foundation donated to help cover some of the club’s expenses.
To raise the rest of the funds for the fireworks show, Schopmeyer said the club is asking for the public to invest in the event that promises to be the “Best Bang For A Buck” in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bank accounts are being set up at local banks to accept public donations in support of the fireworks show.
“We figured it costs approximately $20 for each of the fireworks that light up the sky during the show put on by Mark Adamson, who has done it for the past 50 years,” said the President-elect Rob Dispennett, who hopes the public will want to invest in this event. “When you are sitting there with your child, or grandchild on your lap watching the fireworks this year, you can tell them, ‘I donated $20 so you could see that one go up in the air.’”
A schedule for the upcoming Brazil Rotary Club’s 4th of July Celebration can be at www.brazilrotary.org/ or by logging onto Facebook at Brazil Rotary Club’s page.
The Brazil Times will print the schedule and a story in an upcoming edition. The event schedule, including showtimes and locations, may change depending upon the weather conditions, and the COVID-19 pandemic,
