Menu
County confirms 12th COVID-19 case
On Thursday afternoon, Putnam County officials noted there have been 12 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county.
The Indiana State Department of Health reported 11 cases at 10 a.m. However, the Putnam County Health Department confirmed the 12th case following the state’s update.
With the number of cases in the county continuing to grow, Putnam County Hospital has created a COVID-19 hotline that is staffed from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. Citizens can call the hotline at 765-301-7019 to speak to a healthcare provider to address questions or concerns about the virus.
Guidance from the Putnam County Hospital regarding COVID-19 symptoms and testing includes:
• If you think you have COVID-19, based on CDC guidelines, and your symptoms are mild, quarantine at home following the CDC’s recommended instructions at www.cdc.gov.
• If you meet one of the 7 high risk criteria listed below, you should seek early care and further testing even if you have mild symptoms.
• Due to high demand, testing supplies and personnel resources are limited. Per the CDC/ISDH guidelines these resources are to be directed to the highest risk patients.
As of April 1 those to be given priority for testing are:
1. Patients who require hospitalization due to complications of their acute respiratory illness and symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
2. Healthcare workers and first responders with symptoms consistent of COVID-19 who in their role have potential or unknown exposure to at-risk patients.
3. Patients and staff (who have direct contact with patients) at long-term care facilities with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and otherwise no known COVID-19 contact.
4. Persons experiencing homelessness with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and otherwise no known COVID-19 contact.
5. Incarcerated patients and staff (with direct contact with inmates) at correctional facilities with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and otherwise no known COVID-19 contact.
6. Patients 65 years of age and older and experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19
7. Patients with underlying high-risk conditions and experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
According to the CDC, high-risk conditions include:
• People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
• People who have heart disease with complications
• People who are immunocompromised including cancer treatment
• People of any age with severe obesity (BMI greater than 40) or certain underlying medical conditions, particularly not well controlled, such as those with diabetes, renal failure, or liver disease
• Pregnant women
Anyone who feels they meet the criteria for testing is encouraged to call his or her primary care provider or the Putnam County Hospital’s COVID-19 hotline at 765-301-7019 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.
For any healthcare worker or first responder who meets these criteria, free testing is being offered by Eli Lilly for those who are symptomatic. This resource may be accessed at www.lillycovid19testing.com.
Additional updates include:
• The hospital also reiterated the no visitor policy put in place Thursday morning to protect patients and the hospital community from COVID-19.
To learn more, visit www.pchosp.org.
• With warmer weather on the horizon, citizens are encouraged to follow social and physical distancing when outdoors.
• Governor Holcomb announced the #INthistogether campaign to encourage Hoosiers to stay at home and flatten the curve. Citizens can join the campaign by visiting www.inthistogethercampaign.com.
Community officials also reiterated that is is imperative for individuals to take action to avoid COVID-19 to prevent its spread.
A number of preventive steps include:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth, especially with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are showing symptoms of illness.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Cover your cough or sneezes with a tissue or sneeze into your elbow.
• Throw the tissue in the garbage and make sure to clean your hands afterward.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• We are all in this together.
Putnam County is providing regular updates on COVID-19 to citizens as part of its effort to complement the daily updates from the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH). The ISDH updates occur at 10 a.m. and can be accessed via www.coronavirus.in.gov.
To learn more about Putnam County’s coordinated response to COVID-19, visit the Putnam County Hospital at www.pchosp.org/covid-19-updates or the Putnam County Health Department at www.putnamhealthindiana.org.