A chart shows the number of COVID-19 cases reported in Kosciusko County by day since March 2020. Source: Indiana Department of Health

Press Release

WARSAW — The Indiana Department of Health has moved Kosciusko County into an “orange” COVID-19 pandemic advisory level, based on an increase in cases per 100,000 population and an increase in test positivity.

As a result, the Kosciusko County Health Department issued a statement about the current circumstances.

“Unfortunately, Kosciusko County joins an increasing number of Indiana counties with a more threatening COVID-19 designation, said Dr. William Remington Jr., Kosciusko County Health Officer.

“This surge of cases and hospitalizations is secondary to the greatly increased communicability of the latest variant of concern – the delta variant,” he said.

Despite some vaccine breakthrough cases, which are generally milder cases, COVID immunization is safe and effective and is a great opportunity to lessen the disease burden in our county. It reduces the pressure on our healthcare resources, reduces severity of individual cases, and saves lives,” Remington said.

He said the recent FDA’s full approval of the Pfizer vaccine “is a tremendous vote of confidence in the science behind our vaccine products. It is a gift to have them.”

The CDC recommends a layering of protection as community cases rise. In addition to immunization, this includes limiting congregated gatherings, particularly indoor settings with poor ventilation, mask use, hand hygiene, and staying home if ill.

“It has been a very bumpy, marathon-like, pandemic,” Remington said. “Our modern society has not experienced this since a century ago. We don’t like it. It puts us on edge. Stay the course. We’ll get through this.”