By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

WARSAW – Local leaders reported positive news on several fronts in what was probably the most optimistic update offered since they began holding pandemic news conferences 11 months ago.

Health officials reported on Wednesday that fewer people are seeking tests, the county’s positivity rate is falling and the local vaccine rollout is beginning to expand.

The number of tests being sought last week fell to around 120, compared to more than 900 at its peak earlier this winter.

The seven-day rolling average positivity rate in the county had been near 25 percent late last year, but has been cut to around 7 percent, said Kosciusko County Health Officer Dr. William Remington.

“The overall trending has been wonderful,” Remington said.

Officials at the news conference at Warsaw City Hall Wednesday morning, Feb. 3, acknowledged more good news was expected from the state. Less than an hour later, the state health department’s coronavirus dashboard was updated to reflect numerous counties moving into a reduced level of restrictions for gatherings.

Statewide, much of the state’s 92 counties have moved from red and orange categories that indicate the severity of local conditions.

Hospitalizations and deaths attributed to COVID-19 have declined in recent weeks across the state.

Three weeks ago, 73 counties were categorized in red, but that’s been cut this week to four counties, according to the state health department.

“It’s incredibly encouraging to see this change,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box during a news conference Wednesday afternoon with Gov. Eric Holcomb.

Box said the state’s “not out of the woods yet” because of a “very limited” national supply of vaccines.

She urged everyone to remain vigilant and continue masking, observing social distance and staying home when feeling ill.

Meanwhile, the number of vaccination sites in Kosciusko County continues to grow.

In addition to the county health clinic in the K21 Health Pavilion, reservations for free vaccination shots are being taken online for sites at the local Kroger, Meijer and Pill Box Pharmacy.

Since the number of vaccine sites will likely grow, officials are not announcing a formal list. Instead, they urge anyone who qualifies (65 and older) to browse the state’s coronavirus vaccination website. The website narrows the choices available in each county and offers other nearby locations.

If somebody can’t find a good time and location, officials suggest broadening your search to nearby counties.

Remington said those who get their first dose should return to the same site for their second dose.

Bowen Center, which has seen a slowdown at its free testing clinic at the fairgrounds in recent weeks, has pivoted slightly and is dedicating resources toward manning a telephone hotline to assist anyone who has a language barrier or technology concern with making a reservation for a vaccine shot, according to Bowen Center’s chief executive, Kurt Carlson.

The hotline phone number is (574)-347-4256. It’s open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Remington said he recently visited the health department’s vaccination clinic and was impressed with the progress made and lauded the number of volunteer nurses who have offered to help.

“We greatly appreciate you,” Remington said of the volunteer effort.

“This is a wonderful community to be operating in,” Remington said, adding that the volunteer efforts represent “a tremendous demonstration of the community’s goodwill.”

As a result of improving indications, Mayor Joe Thallemer announced Wednesday morning that all city office buildings are now open to the public once again. The city will continue to require everyone inside city buildings to wear a mask and use social distancing.

Thallemer encouraged people to continue watching meetings online but said anyone who wants to attend public meetings in-person can now do so.

Thallemer and County Commissioner Cary Groninger both applauded the efforts of the public and urged people not to relax in efforts to combat the virus.

While circumstances are improving, officials say the newly emerging variants of COVID could be a wildcard.

Remington declined to predict where the county might stand by July 4 but acknowledges that summer is looking better.

But he added, “We may be wearing masks into the fall. We may still be talking about mitigation of community gatherings … into the fall. We need some endurance here.”