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

By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Two area counties are now in the “red” category for COVID-19 county metrics.

The Indiana Department of Health has established a color-coded county map that measures weekly cases per 100,000 residents and the seven-day positivity rate for all tests completed. Elkhart and Whitley County have 17.9% and 18.7% positivity rates, respectively.

The color-coded county metrics map on the IDH website shows a majority of Indiana counties in the “orange” category, with 21 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

The baseline for red is 15 percent.

Through Governor Eric Holcomb’s recent pandemic requirements, social gatherings of any kind in Elkhart and Whitley Counties will be 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.

This requirement is effective Sunday, Nov. 22.

According to the IDH website, Kosciusko County has 3,765 positive COVID-19 cases, with 39 deaths.

Kosciusko County’s positivity rate is 13.5%, according to the state dashboard.

The Fulton County Health Department recently reported an additional COVID-19 death, bringing the county’s total to 17. The death occurred on Tuesday, Nov. 17. Fulton County has 714 positive cases.

Statewide, the latest posting on the IDH website shows the number of COVID-19 deaths in Indiana rose to 4,830, which is up from 4,686 reported on Monday, Nov. 16.

The total positive number of COVID-19 cases in Indiana is now at 268,222. More than 3,668,000 COVID-19 tests have been administered to Hoosiers.

Locally, Whitley County has 1,107 positive cases, which is up from 1,034 reported on Monday; Wabash County has 1,243 positive cases, which is up from 1,141 reported on Monday; and Marshall County has 2,637 positive cases, which is up from 2,501 reported on Monday. Noble County has 2,186 positive cases and Elkhart County has 15,176 positive cases, which is up from 14,619 reported on Monday.

In other northern Indiana counties, Lake County has 23,953 positive cases, which is up from 23,167 reported on Monday; Allen County has 15,343 positive cases, which is up from 14,545 reported on Monday; and St. Joseph County has 14,965 positive cases, which is up from 14,461 reported on Monday.

According to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, more than 4,293,000 people in the United States have recovered from COVID-19.