Monroe County moves into red advisory with record-breaking COVID-19 case numbers
Monroe County has moved into Indiana's red advisory level after reported COVID-19 cases in the county doubled from the previous week.
Last week, Monroe County had 468 cases per 100,000 residents. Now the county has about 1,081 cases per 100,000 residents. The county's positivity rate is now 19.99%, a significant increase from last week's reported 10% positivity rate.
"It's not a surprise, but it is a sad occurrence," county health administrator Penny Caudill said.
This influx of cases now places Monroe County at the state COVID-19 dashboard's red advisory level, the most serious. In all, 81 out of Indiana's 92 counties are currently at the red advisory, while the other 11 are in orange, the third most serious of the four levels.
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Two more deaths of Monroe County residents infected with COVID-19 have been reported since Friday, bringing the county's total coronavirus death toll over the course of the pandemic to 238 on Wednesday. That's up from 200 on Oct. 22.
On Jan. 11, Monroe County reported 352 total daily positive cases, an all-time peak since the pandemic began two years ago. According to Caudill, the Indiana Department of Health recently reported that about one in four people who are being tested at health clinics and sites are testing positive; this figure does not take into account those who may be performing tests at home or those who have COVID-19 but aren't being tested.
"With this amount of transmission, testing sites are understandably overwhelmed. Turnaround times are rising and securing testing can be difficult, so patience is needed despite how frustrating it is," Caudill said.
Monroe County has COVID-19 testing available at the state-sponsored Gravity Diagnostics site, 301 N. Curry Pike, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday each week. But even that site has had moments of overflow. On Tuesday, the site's line had to be cut off at 2 p.m., two hours early, in order to ensure everyone in line would receive a test before the site was scheduled to close.
In an effort to increase testing availability, Caudill said they have asked for an additional state-sponsored mobile unit to visit Monroe County. If arranged, it would also offer COVID-19 vaccines. If residents have the ability and resources to travel for COVID-19 testing, there may be more options in counties that surround Monroe. Caudill urged those looking to schedule a COVID-19 test to frequently check coronavirus.in.gov.
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As cases continue to rise, Caudill encouraged people to follow guidelines to mitigate the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19. That includes limiting time in crowded places, wearing a quality, snug-fitting mask while around other people, washing and sanitizing hands frequently and following quarantine or isolation protocols if they feel sick.
"Studies are showing that omicron does appear to be less severe, but it is three times more transmissible than delta. Maintaining the prevention strategies that we've talked about all along is vital, and stepping them up a bit may be an even wiser move at this time," Caudill said.
Contact Rachel Smith at rksmith@heraldt.com or @RachelSmithNews on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Monroe County, Indiana experiences surge in COVID-19 cases
