A graph shows the number of reported COVID-19 deaths by day statewide. Source: Indiana Department of Health

By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — While Kosciusko County remains in the orange category, three neighboring counties are now in the “red” category used by the state to track COVID-19 metrics.

The Indiana Department of Health relies on a color-coded county map that measures weekly cases per 100,000 residents and the seven-day positivity rate for all tests completed.

Elkhart, Wabash and Whitley Counties have 15.9%, 16% and 15.7% positivity rates, respectively. Both Elkhart and Whitley Counties’ positivity rates have decreased since last week. Wabash moved to red this week.

The baseline for red is 15 percent.

The color-coded county metrics map on the IDH website shows a majority of Indiana counties in the “orange” category, with 17 counties in the “red” category. Color-coded county metrics are based on each county’s seven-day positivity rate and the number of newly reported weekly cases per 100,000 residents. Orange counties are categorized as such when they have a 10 to 14.9% seven-day positivity rate and/or 100 to 199 new weekly cases per 100,000 residents. Source: Indiana Department of Health

Under Gov. Eric Holcomb’s pandemic requirements, social gatherings of any kind in red counties is limited to 25 people. A special, seasonal or commercial event for which more than 25 people will be in attendance must submit a plan to the local health department at least seven days in advance and receive approval before proceeding. College and professional sports are included.

According to the IDH website, Kosciusko County has 4,623 positive COVID-19 cases, with 39 deaths. The county’s case number is up from 4,461 reported on Monday, Nov. 23.

Kosciusko County’s positivity rate is 12.2%, according to the state dashboard. This is down from a 13.5% positivity rate reported last week.

The Wabash County Health Department recently reported two additional COVID-19 deaths, bringing the county’s total to 21. Both deaths occurred on Monday. Wabash County has 1,625 positive cases, which is up from 1,530 reported on Monday.

Whitley County Health Department also recently reported two additional COVID-19 deaths, bringing the county’s total to 14. The deaths occurred on Monday, Nov. 23, and Tuesday, Nov. 24. Whitley County has 1,371 positive cases.

Statewide, the latest posting on the IDH website shows the number of COVID-19 deaths in Indiana rose to 5,232, which is up from 5,067 reported on Monday.

The total positive number of COVID-19 cases in Indiana is now at 312,521. More than 4,038,000 COVID-19 tests have been administered to Hoosiers.

Locally, Fulton County has 845 positive cases; Marshall County has 2,991 positive cases, which is up from 2,899 reported on Monday; Noble County has 2,550 positive cases and Elkhart County has 17,177, which is up from 16,665 reported on Monday.

In other northern Indiana counties, Lake County has 27,152 positive cases, which is up from 26,364 reported on Monday; Allen County has 18,010 positive cases, which is up from 17,299 reported on Monday; and St. Joseph County has 16,799 positive cases, which is up from 16,319 reported on Monday.

According to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, more than 4,696,000 people in the United States have recovered from COVID-19.