A graph shows the number of newly reported positive COVID-19 cases in Kosciusko County by day. Source: Indiana Department of Health

By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Warsaw and Kosciusko County health officials on Friday stressed the importance of social distancing, wearing masks and staying home when sick after a recent significant increase in COVID-19 cases locally.

A Nov. 6 special press conference by the city focused on the current impact COVID-19 is having on Kosciusko County’s hospitals, as well as how residents can help slow the spread.

Those attending the conference included Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer, Kosciusko County Health Officer Dr. Bill Remington, and Kosciusko Community Hospital CEO Jae Dale.

According to the Indiana Department of Health’s website, as of Nov. 5, Kosciusko County has had a total of 2,696 positive COVID-19 cases, with 32 deaths. The county also saw a new single-day record for COVID-19 cases, with 96 new cases reported on Nov. 5.

“A few days ago, we had 90 in one day,” said Thallemer. “This is not good. It’s a significant problem, not just in the community but in our state and nation as well. We felt it was very important to sit down and stress the importance of social responsibility as far as gathering, mask-wearing and hand-washing goes.”

“We’re unfortunately setting records,” said Remington on both the nation’s and state’s COVID-19 numbers.

Currently, the county’s number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents is 459, which Remington notes surpass last week’s rolling average of cases per residents by 50 percent.

“This is a substantial surge, the worst we’ve seen yet numerically,” said Remington.

Remington also said he estimates the county’s COVID-19 death toll will significantly increase in the next three weeks.

“There’s no one place that’s the incubator or super spreader,” said Remington. “It’s very efficient as a respiratory pathogen with its pre-symptomatic spread. There is no doubt that is a significant player in this. Behave as though you are spreading the virus unbeknownst to you. Social distance. Wear a mask. Avoid crowds in general, outdoors or in. And if you’re ill, stay home. Don’t go to work. It’s those same messages that we’ve been saying all along.”

Dale said KCH staff are currently able to manage the spike and that the hospital is well-stocked with personal protective equipment.

“But we do see the escalation,” said Dale. “It has more than doubled since the springtime in terms of the numbers of cases we’ve had in the hospital. We do not want to be a source point of the infection and so far, we have not been that.”

Dale also discussed the fear surrounding COVID-19, which leads to some waiting on medical care versus getting treated immediately.

“We’re seeing the real-life repercussions of people who delay that initial care,” said Dale. “It’s really important you get the appropriate level as you would have without COVID. We’re taking every precaution and using PPE.”

Parkview Warsaw also has enough resources to care for COVID-19 patients; however, hospital staff are concerned with the rising number of cases within the region.

Thallemer read a statement from Jeff Rockett, Parkview Warsaw’s vice-president of outpatient services, during the press conference. In his statement, Rockett urges residents to wear a mask, wash their hands, avoid social gatherings and stay home when sick.

“All of Parkview’s facilities continue to maintain full clinical operations thanks to our team’s diligent planning and preparation over the last few months, and we will continue to closely monitor the situation,” said Rockett.

Due to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases, the City of Warsaw has cancelled its First Friday set for this Friday night.

The event’s theme this month was “Thanks for Giving.” Those who still wish to donate non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies, toiletries and/or cash donations to Combined Community Services and The Salvation Army can do so through a drive-thru format. A dump truck will still be parked in the City Hall parking lot from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6. Those who want to donate are asked to enter from Center Street to make their donations.

“Take advantage of the outdoors,” said Thallemer. “Get some exercise and enjoy the weather. But avoid close social situations, both outdoors and indoors … that’s very important.”

Remington also noted that schools are not breeding grounds for COVID-19, saying they’re “safe, controlled places.”

But schools continue to feel the impact. Earlier this week, Wawasee school officials ceased in-class learning at the high school.

In Warsaw, a letter sent to Warsaw Community High School parents and guardians on Nov. 5 announced three additional student cases involving COVID-19 at the school. Contact tracing took place for those students on Thursday, with tracing going back to the last time a positive student was in the high school. The most recent date that a positive student was in the building was Wednesday, Nov. 4.

All families with students in close contact with the infected people were notified by WCHS and KCHD, informing them to quarantine and not return to school for 14 days after the last exposure.

“Please understand how important it is we all do our part,” said Thallemer. “We’re not telling anybody to go hide, but we want people to be as responsible as they can to take care of themselves and those around them.”