Carroll County Health Nurse Joyce Yoder said Tuesday nearly 200 county residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since March. The number has grown by nearly 80 over the past two weeks. She said many of those new cases are in the Delphi area.
Yoder reported early last week St. Elizabeth Healthcare Center in Delphi had 12 residents and five staff testing positive for the coronavirus. As of Tuesday, Yoder said, she has unofficially 32 residents testing positive and an unknown number of staff. One resident and one staff member have been hospitalized, according to her records. Fortunately, she said, most of the residents testing positive are not exhibiting symptoms.
Currently, no residents or staff at Carroll Manor have tested positive, Yoder said. “They do need additional help, though,” and suggested people contact the director, Martha Lewis, if interested in helping.
Three employees at the Carroll County Highway Garage in Flora tested positive last week, Yoder said. The garage was shut down for cleaning.
Carroll Superintendent Keith Thackery reported last week that a Carroll student had tested positive, but the student had not been on the school campus yet as classes were to begin this week.
Yoder said she believes the rise in positive cases in some instances can be linked to people not quarantining or wearing a mask when they should.
“We’re hearing reports that people who should be quarantining are out playing golf,” she said. “They are not adhering to the mandate.”
People who test positive for the coronavirus can spread the disease whether or not they have symptoms, the county health official stressed. “That’s why they are to stay home.”
People are just getting lax, she added. People need to wear a mask.
“Wearing a mask not only protects you but the individuals you are in contact with,” Yoder said.
According to Yoder, the State and County Health Department officials do followup with those who test positive. “We won’t ask for any personal information such as social security numbers. Questions will only pertain to the coronavirus.”
The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) reports as of Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2,390 total tests have been given to county residents, up 199 from the report issued Aug. 4 by the ISDH. One hundred ninety-six residents have tested positive for the virus.
On Aug. 11, the ISDH reported 9,609 deaths in Indiana have been linked to the coronavirus, including two in Carroll County. As of Tuesday, 861,655 residents have been tested for the virus with 75,862 testing positive (8.8%).
Positive cases of COVID- 19 in surrounding counties to Carroll, reported by the ISDH on Aug. 11, are: Cass 1,802, (nine deaths); Howard 913, (65 deaths); Tippecanoe 1,238, (11 deaths); Clinton 444, (4 deaths); and White 376 (11 deaths). A complete list of cases by county, as well as testing sites, is posted at www.coronavirus.in.gov.