County officials provide updated COVID case counts

Friday, July 17, 2020

Putnam County officials announced Friday that there have been 186 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county.

It is unknown how many county residents are still actively fighting the disease. The Putnam County Health Department has not recently provided updated information regarding recoveries.

The last coronavirus death of a Putnam County resident came on May 30. A total of eight area residents have died in the pandemic.

In the county, 2,953 individuals have been tested as of July 15, 2020.

A news site has been approved for Optum testing. Optum is finalizing its plans to ensure the process runs smoothly and once all of the final details are worked out there will be a separate press release to the community.

In the meantime, Optum has a site in Danville that Putnam County residents are able to use.

Additional updates include:

• The Putnam County 360 Coalition, in conjunction with the Putnam County Community Foundation and the United Way, has developed an online resource to help members of our community receive the help and support that they need during challenging times. This form and other resources can be found on the Coalition website at www.putnamcounty360.org . By completing this form, or calling 765-653-4820, you can be connected to a member of the 360 Coalition who will help you or direct you to appropriate resources as best as we can to provide the support that you need. The Putnam County 360 Coalition is a collaboration of more than 25 not-for-profit service providers, faith-based institutions, educational providers, city and county government, and the Putnam County business community. The goal of the 360 Coalition is to provide pathways for all residents of our community that lead to positive outcomes, including housing stability, education, health and well-being, economic security and mobility through resource and information sharing, and shared client management between agencies.

• Indiana’s Rental Assistance programs are now live. Please see the Indiana Housing and Community Development press release regarding Indiana’s rental assistance programs in Marion County and the rest of the state. Within the press release is a link to a helpful flyer that you can share on your social media platforms: http://www.indianahousingnow.org/. IN211 is proud to be a member of the team to guide Hoosiers who need rental assistance.

• Cummins Behavioral Health Systems, Inc. is still accepting new patients. They are completing new patient intake assessments in person and virtually through telehealth, please call 888-714-1927 to reserve a new patient intake assessment. They are here to support you, your children and your family with any mental health or addiction needs. We have multiple addiction groups running virtually at this time.

• 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.

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.

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 Dept. of Health. The updates can be accessed via www.coronavirus.in.gov. 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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