Putnam County up to 62 confirmed COVID-19 cases

Putnam County officials announced Wednesday there are have been 62 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county.

This is an increase of four since the county’s last report on Monday.

Additional updates include:

• The State of Indiana is offering free testing for COVID-19 throughout Indiana.

In the coming days, the State of Indiana will be offering free COVID-19 testing through a partnership with OptumServe Health Services. Testing is for any symptomatic Hoosier, close contacts of positive cases or residents of congregate living settings.

More sites will be added in the coming weeks. Here’s how you can participate: https://calendar.in.gov/site/gov/event/gov-holcomb-announces-large-scale-covid-1...

The State of Indiana is offering resources for mental health through its “Be Well Indiana” website.

Visit www.bewellindiana.com to learn more.

• Some Putnam County offices are open for essential business Friday.

Several county offices are open Friday for in-person contact. Please reach out to the office before heading to the Courthouse. Social distancing will be in effect.

Visit https://pchosp.org/government-offices/ for the full list.

Greencastle’s First Friday is going virtual.

Greencastle’s First Friday, led by Main Street Greencastle, will be virtual this week. Visit their Facebook page to participate: https://www.facebook.com/events/2529110617340661/

• Gov. Eric Holcomb to announce updates on Friday to executive order regarding staying at home.

Regardless of what is announced, it is critical to continue practicing social distancing, wearing a mask in public and following the preventive steps outlined below.

Local officials are also encouraging preventive steps, including:

• 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 afterward.

• Stay home when you are sick.

• Wear face coverings in public when performing essential duties.

• 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. The updates can be accessed via www.coronavirus.in.gov.

According to the ISDH, the number of tests is provisional and reflects only those reported to ISDH. Numbers should not be characterized as a comprehensive total.