HANCOCK COUNTY — One new positive case of COVID-19 was reported for Hancock County Thursday, but that shouldn’t be interpreted as a slowdown in the spread of the infection, according to a health leader.
The Indiana State Department of Health tallied Hancock County’s positive COVID-19 cases at nine as of Wednesday night. That includes one death from the disease.
Crystal Baker, office manager and preparedness coordinator for the Hancock County Health Department, said the county’s cases are isolating at home or are hospitalized, but that she could not provide a breakdown for each. She added a couple of the county’s cases are over the age of 60.
Craig Felty, vice president, chief nursing officer and chief operating officer of Hancock Regional Hospital, said early Thursday afternoon that the hospital had yet to have any confirmed COVID-19 patients.
The number of reported Hancock County cases doubled on Wednesday. Just because the total rose by only one the following day, it doesn’t mean the disease is slowing down, Baker said.
“That’s just based on test results coming back and the timing of the test results,” she said.
Baker added the health department doesn’t know how many COVID-19 test results come back negative in Hancock County because private labs are only required to report positive results.
Statewide numbers released Thursday morning revealed total positive cases went up almost 170 for a total of 645. Three more deaths were reporting, bringing that count to 17; and the number of tests rose by nearly 1,300, bringing that sum to 4,651.
The county’s health department has six full-time staff members. Baker said herself and two nurses are fully dedicated to the COVID-19 response and that the other employees are helping out by answering phones and ensuring the department’s other responsibilities are fulfilled.
Part of Baker’s and the nurses’ work in response to the coronavirus includes contact tracing.
“We are still making contact with each positive patient and then with each close contact that they report to us,” Baker said. “We’re making those initial calls to make sure they’re aware of the situation and monitoring symptoms and isolating if they can.”
Fortunately, most of the county’s COVID-19 patients were symptomatic before getting tested and isolating already, resulting in fewer close contacts, Baker continued.
“They’re doing what they’re asked to do and staying home because they’re sick,” she said.
Baker agrees with the executive orders Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb issued this week greatly restricting contact among Hoosiers in an effort to slow the virus’ spread.
“From a public health perspective, it’s what’s needed to help keep this as minimally devastating as we can,” Baker said. “Unfortunately we’re still looking at an upward climb, and so we just need everybody just to hang in there.”
One of Holcomb’s orders tasks local boards of health with taking action against establishments that continue to provide in-house dining services. Baker said the Hancock County Health Department is working to develop a procedure on how to carry out that enforcement action if it’s needed.
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Indiana COVID-19 data as of 11:59 p.m. March 25
Total positive cases: 645
Total deaths: 17
Total tested: 4,651
Total positive cases in Hancock County: 9
Source: Indiana State Department of Health
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COVID-19 cases in the U.S. recorded as of March 26
Total cases: 68,440
Total deaths: 994
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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People who are at higher risk from severe illness
Some people may be at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. This includes:
- Older adults
- People who have serious underlying medical conditions like:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Lung disease
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Stop the spread of germs
Help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
- Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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