A graph shows the number of active, hospitalized active, and recovered cases of COVID-19 patients in Kosciusko County. Source: Kosciusko County Health Department

By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Between noon Wednesday, June 17, and noon Friday, June 19, the Kosciusko County Health Department reported a total of 31 new COVID-19 cases. This brings the county’s total number of reported cases to 379, with two deaths.

Currently, 126 Kosciusko County residents have recovered from COVID-19. Thirteen cases are hospitalized active cases, with 240 cases classified as active. A “hospitalized active case” consists of any active cases that are currently or have been hospitalized at all during their illness. However, consistent with non-hospitalized cases, once their 21-day active period is completed, they are considered recovered.

KCHD also issued a press release regarding the rise of COVID-19 cases in Kosciusko County.

“COVID-19 cases are on the rise in several northern Indiana counties, Kosciusko included,” said Teresa Reed, KCHD communicable disease nurse. “On May 19, Kosciusko County had 62 cases of COVID-19. Now on June 19, the Kosciusko County COVID-19 case count is 379.”

“We know a lot more about SARS-CoV2 now than in March 2020. Thankfully the death rate is much lower than the early information indicated. How ill someone becomes with COVID-19 ranges from an infection with no symptoms, to serious illness, and sometimes to death.”

“Although shut-downs slow or stop the spread they cannot be maintained indefinitely and come with high costs, both economically and to health. So, despite the numbers accelerating, shut-down is untenable.”

“KCHD is asking that the residents and visitors of Kosciusko County maintain their diligence and take appropriate precautions for their own safety and the safety of those who are at highest risk.”

Do:

• Wear a mask or cloth face cover in crowded indoor spaces.
• Wear a mask or cloth face covering if you visit high-risk individuals.
• Maintain social distancing when possible.
• Hold activities outside when possible.
• Wash your hands often.
• Use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not readily available.
• Stay home if you are ill and isolate as directed.
• Wear a mask or face covering if you are ill and cannot avoid being around others.
• Stay home and quarantine if you are a close contact of a case.
• Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces regularly.
• Self-evaluate for illness and check your temperature.

Don’t:

• Work while ill.
• Participate in crowded events if you are at high risk or have any signs of illness.
• Touch your face with unwashed hands.

A map shows the number of COVID-19 deaths by county in Indiana. Source: Kosciusko County Health Department

“Despite all of us wanting this pandemic to be over, it is not over,” said Reed. “This will continue and it takes individual responsibility and community engagement to keep the level of illness as low as possible. Please take steps to protect yourself and others.”

The Whitley County Health Department also recently reported a fourth COVID-19 death. The death occurred on Wednesday, June 17. Whitley County has 69 positive cases. The county health department has administered 1,059 tests.

Statewide, the latest posting on the Indiana State Department of Health website shows the number of COVID-19 deaths in Indiana rose to 2,327.

The total positive number of COVID-19 cases in Indiana is now at 41,746. More than 392,000 Hoosiers have been tested for COVID-19.

Locally, Fulton County has 60 positive cases, Wabash County has 89 positive cases, and Marshall County has 344 positive cases. Noble County has 358 positive cases. Elkhart County has 2,477 positive cases, which is up from 2,392 reported on Wednesday, June 17.

In other northern Indiana counties, Lake County has 4,326 positive cases; Allen County has 2,331 positive cases; and St. Joseph County has 1,628 positive cases.

Marion County, which includes Indianapolis, has the most cases in the state at 10,885.

According to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, more than 599,000 people in the United States have recovered from COVID-19.