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County COVID cases remain at 127; Most have recovered
The Putnam County Health Department announced Friday there have been 127 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Putnam County.
This number was unchanged since Thursday’s update from state health officials.
As of the county’s previous update on Wednesday, 75 people had recovered and were symptom-free.
Additional updates include:
Putnam Prompt Care is open this holiday weekend.
Anyone experiencing non-COVID-19 symptoms and needing medical care is invited to visit Prompt Care. Visit https://pchosp.org/prompt-care/ for hours and services.
• The Putnam County 4-H Fair will be a live, in-person fair, with attendance focused on 4-H families and volunteers.
Fair leadership will follow CDC guidance, Indiana’s Back on Track plan and Purdue University’s guidelines for fairs. While the fair will look different this year, it will be primarily focused on achieving the opportunity to provide 4-Her’s with an exhibition activity. Any 4-H member with concerns of coming to the fair will have the option to submit projects virtually in 2020. Visit them on Facebook to learn more.
• The Putnam County 4-H Fair Parade is postponed to 2021.
• Free testing is available Friday and Saturday in Clay County.
The Indiana State Department of Health will host free drive-thru testing at Forest Park in Brazil from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. You do not need an appointment, but please bring a photo ID.
• Call the Putnam County Hospital’s COVID-19 hotline at 301-7019 if you think you have symptoms.
The hotline is staffed from 8 a.m.-9 p.m., seven days a week. Hospital staff can direct callers to the nearest testing site, to keep potential COVID-19 patients from spreading the virus in health care offices.
• 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. Note that with the increase in testing, it’s possible that the number of cases in the county will increase.
Since the OptumServe testing site opened on May 13, 230 people have been tested for the virus.
• 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 and don’t ignore these messages.
• The US Census is hiring and holding a virtual job fair Thursday.
Hundreds of temporary jobs with the U.S. Census Bureau are currently open. Participate in this free virtual job fair and learn about the many available opportunities at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3050798827669304336.
• Some Putnam County offices will be open Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The schedule is at https://pchosp.org/government-offices/.
• Citizens have until Thursday to request an absentee ballot for the Primary Election.
Request an absentee ballot by calling Putnam County Voter Registration at 655-1538 or email voterregistration.putnam@airhop.com. You also can visit https://www.indianavoters.in.gov. To learn more about your options to vote, visit https://pchosp.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/05-04-Primary-Election-Content-hea...
• 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. Our 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.
There are two websites you can visit for updated information: Putnam County Hospital at www.pchosp.org/covid-19-updates Putnam County Health Department at www.putnamhealthindiana.org
What else can I do right now?
• 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.