MONDAY'S COVID-19 UPDATE: Clay County still in ‘blue’, but some numbers rising

Clay County’s Two-Week Metric Score remains at .5, a zero in the 7-Day All Tests Positivity Rate and the overall Advisory Level Category stays in BLUE Monday.

However, the county remains in the YELLOW Advisory Category for Weekly Cases Per 100,000 Residents, as the Indiana State Department of Health data shows a score of 1.

The next evaluation for the County Metrics takes place Wednesday at noon.

The ISDH data also shows an increase since Thursday, March 18 in the virus spread, with a spike of .3% in the 7-Day All Tests Positivity Rate and an increase of 3.3% Unique 7-Day Positivity Rate.

If this trend continues, the metric’s category for the county could change within two weeks.

Health officials had stated since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 that the coronavirus would be a fluid situation, which is why residents are encouraged to do their best to fight the spread of the virus.

Vaccine eligibility lowered to 40

The Indiana Department of Health has announced that Hoosiers aged 4o+ can now register for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Visit ourshot.in.gov or call 211 to register.

Remember, educators, childcare workers, and certain conditions are eligible too.

This expansion of eligibility to include those ages 40-44 will make the vaccine available to more than 400,000 additional Hoosiers, with more groups to be added as the vaccine becomes available.

ISDH COVID-19 DASHBOARD CORRECTED

On Saturday (March 20), ISDH confirmed the state dashboard had been updated to reflect 925 additional Hoosiers diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at state and private laboratories. That brought the state total to 677,135 positive cases, and 12,515 confirmed COVID-19 deaths, with an increase of six reported the previous day. Another 411 probable deaths have been reported based on clinical diagnoses in patients for whom no positive test is on record.

CDC Encourages Vigilance

While COVID-19 knowns no age limit, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages everyone to continue wearing face coverings and practice good hygiene.

Important Ways to Slow the Spread

Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others.

Stay 6 feet apart from others who don’t live with you.

Get a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to you.

Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.

Wash your hands often with soap and water.

Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.