The Bloomingtonian received a press release Wednesday from the Monroe County Department of Heath that five more in the county have died from COVID-19, and 12 more residents were reported Wednesday to be infected. The total number of county residents who have died jumped from 18 on Tuesday to 23 Wednesday.
2,289 Hoosiers have now died of the illness, and 41,013 have been infected.
https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/2393.htm
Here is the text of a press release sent to the Bloomingtonian, which does not say which Monroe County community members have died. Information about the identities of those who have died is shielded by privacy laws.
MONROE COUNTY INVESTIGATING SPIKE IN COVID-19 CASES
BLOOMINGTON: The Monroe County Health Department is investigating a spike in Covid-19 cases after notification of 12 new cases on Wednesday. Monroe County also reported 5 new Covid-19 related deaths.
According to Penny Caudill, Monroe County Health Department administrator, the cases involved a wide range of ages, with half of those infected under age 50 and half over the age of 50. All of the deaths involved those over the age of 60 and were related to long term care facilities.
Caudill said the initial investigations and contact tracing are being done by the Indiana State Department of Health and people will be notified if they need to take action. Monroe County Public Health Clinic nurses are investigating further to determine if there are commonalities or hotspots among the cases and to develop needed interventions and education.
“This is a very good reminder that COVID-19 is still with us and we all need to take preventative actions. Think of it as practicing the three W’s – Wear a face covering, Wait 6 feet apart and Wash your hands frequently”, says Caudill.
For more information, visit the Monroe County Health Department webpage at www.co.monroe.in.us/HealthDepartment.
-END-
