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County declares Level 2 Public Health Emergency
In view of the recent documented case of COVID 19 Putnam County Health Department’s action level has risen to a Level 2 Public Health Emergency.
Level 2 Public Health Emergency means more serious effects are possible (i.e. more cases, possible deaths, or life-threatening illness).
COVID-19 has been documented to be contagious person-to-person by droplets with close personal contact (less than 3 feet) with a contagious person.
The Putnam County Health Department, along with County Commissioners and the Putnam County Hospital, are hereby recommending the following for all residents of Putnam County:
1. Avoid all non-essential travel for the next week or until further notice. Non-essential travel does not include doctor’s visits, grocery shopping, pharmacy/medication pick up, drive-through or pick-up meals from restaurants or traveling to and from work.
2. Business such as hair salons, nail salons, gyms, movie theaters, playhouses and bowling alleys should consider taking a week off at this time to assist in stopping the spread of COVID-19.
3. Be advised that the Putnam County EMS has increased its level of precaution and will be arriving with personal protective equipment (PPE) which will include respirators/masks.
4. All healthcare providers, including long term care facilities (nursing homes) have also increased their level of precaution and will be wearing masks throughout their shifts.
5. Continue to adhere to the guidelines in place from Gov. Eric Holcomb, Mayor Bill Dory, the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
More information can be found at the following websites:
https://www.in.gov/coronavirus/
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
With the county under a Level 2 Public Health Emergency, the Putnam County Courthouse and other county offices remain open at this time, but the commissioners and health department requested that only personnel necessary to keep offices open report to work beginning Monday, March 23.
Elected officials and appointed office-holders are responsible for determining the least number of staff necessary to run their respective offices, including assignment of shifts, to maintain this status until further notice.
Exactly what such “skeleton crew” measures mean under Gov. Eric Holcomb’s “Stay at Home” order, issued Monday, remains to be seen. County officials were set to discuss the matter further on Tuesday morning.
Additionally, the county advised employees not physicall on the job to work from home as approved and necessary.