For a while, Owen County stood steady at 199 positive COVID-19 tests. But 25 new cases this past week have county health officials concerned.
Owen County Health Department Administrator Sheila Reeves said the 25 positive tests weren’t traced to any one event or area of the county. The only cluster was a family of four that tested positive for the virus, she said.
“I’m not sure why, and I’m thinking it’s going to continue to climb faster than it had been,” Reeves said.
It’s possible more the increase comes in part from more people being tested locally as word spreads about the free local testing option. The county opened a COVID-19 drive-through testing site about a month ago at the health department office at 86 E. Market St. in downtown Spencer.
The 12% increase in one week comes amid a resurgence of the virus in Indiana as size limits on social gatherings and in public spaces have been lifted in most parts of the state. Some communities, including Bloomington and Monroe County, have restrictions still in place. A statewide mandate requiring masks in public places remains in effect.
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