COVID cases have increased by 25 since Friday

Monday, May 18, 2020

Putnam County officials announced Monday that there have been 120 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county.

This marked an increase of 25 cases since the last local report on Friday.

The most striking increase was in Saturday’s report from the Indiana State Department of Health, which went from 95 cases locally to 117. This increase of 22 is by far the most Putnam County has seen in a single day.

While local officials gave no formal explanation for the sudden increase, they had caution the public that with increased testing with the availability of OptumServe testing in the community recently, numbers might increase.

Additional updates include:

• OptumServe is offering FREE COVID-19 tests in Putnam County.

OptumServe is testing high-risk Hoosiers showing symptoms of COVID-19 or in direct contact with someone who has the virus. Visit https://pchosp.org/testing-site-opens-may-13/ to learn who should be tested.

Registration is required at https://lhi.care/covidtesting or (888) 634-1116.

Testing is available Monday through Friday through June 5.

You may hear from the State’s contractor for contact tracing if you have come into contact with an individual who tests positive at the OptumServe test site. Expanded contact tracing is critical to stopping the spread of the virus into the community.

Be alert for emails or text messages that come from a different area code.

• You have until May 21 to request an absentee ballot for the Primary Election.

You can request an absentee ballot by calling Voter Registration at 655-1538 or email voterregistration.putnam@airhop.com. You also can visit https://www.indianvoters.in.gov.

To learn more about your options to vote, visit https://www.bannergraphic.com/story/2726927.html.

• Bring a mask from home when out in public and wear it. Practice social distancing, too.

Contact Putnam County’s Masked Mommas if you need a mask. These dedicated community volunteers have made and distributed thousands of masks. Visit https://www.facebook.com/Putnam-County-Mask-Mommas-Sew-Serve-100134314992282/ for a mask.

It is imperative individuals 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 percent 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 afterwards.

• Stay home when you are sick.

• Wear face coverings in public when performing essential duties.

• We are all in this together.

To learn more about Putnam County’s coordinated response to COVID-19, please visit the Putnam County Hospital at www.pchosp.org/covid-19-updates or the Putnam County Health Department at www.putnamhealthindiana.org.

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  • Don't know for a fact, but I've heard tests at the prison per included.

    -- Posted by unbiased on Mon, May 18, 2020, at 6:52 PM
  • oh yeah. Those quarantined Putnam county residents.

    -- Posted by direstraits on Mon, May 18, 2020, at 9:26 PM
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