Hometown Media Group (https://hmgccity.com/)
Wayne County health officials have a map of where those who have tested positive for COVID-19 cases live, and they are seeing some clusters of illness along U.S. 40 and Indiana 1 byways. Thus, they are looking for commonalities between the cases, and one theory they are exploring is that those patients could have visited gas stations or convenience stores where they might have been exposed to the virus. Christine Stinson, Wayne County Health Department’s executive director, told Wayne County Council member this week she has visited gas stations along Indiana 1 and encouraged employees to make extra efforts in sanitation as a precaution such as increased cleaning of gas pumps. Dr. David Jetmore, Wayne County health officer, said those needing to buy gas should grab a paper towel at the dispenser for windshield cleaning equipment, and then use the towel to grab the gas pump, and once done, discard the towel.
Indiana State Superintendent Jennifer McCormick announced Thursday afternoon that students and employees will not be returning to school for the rest of the 2019-20 school year. All K-12 schools will deliver remote instruction for the remainder of the school year. Schools must complete 160 total instructional days or at least 20 more days of remote learning from April 2 until the end of the school year.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb issued Executive Order 20-14 for the continuation of Executive Orders 20-04, 20-10 and 20-11 pertaining to restaurants and alcoholic beverages to prevent establishments from having in-dining services. This limits the establishment to carry out and drive-thru services. In Wayne County, carry-out is only available from curbside service, and no one is allowed to enter the establishment to order food or pick up food.
As of 4 p.m. Thursday, April 2, Reid Health has 28 lab-confirmed positive COVID-19 tests from Indiana State Department of Health and independent lab tests. Reid also has 63 patients in its containment areas. A total of 189 tests have been submitted. Tests include inpatient, outpatient and emergency department visits. Because of the lag time in state reported data, Reid Health is sharing with the community its own data.
As of 10 a.m. Thursday, April 2, Reid Health has noted 25 lab-confirmed positive COVID-19 tests, and has 63 patients in containment areas. Reid has submitted 174 COVID-19 tests for processing. Tests include inpatient, outpatient and emergency department testing to date. Reid officials say because of the lag time in state-reported data, they are sharing their own data with the community. In addition, officials announced earlier this week that Reid’s data will no longer include the number of negative tests results as studies are showing a relatively high “false negative” outcome of testing.
April 15 deadline to file for student financial aid eligibility swiftly approaching
The Indiana Commission for Higher Education is encouraging all students to file the 2020-21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before the approaching April 15, 2020, deadline. As part of the state’s annual Cash for College campaign, the Commission is joining with INvestED Indiana to host a virtual FAFSA Frenzy event on Saturday, April 4. The annual FAFSA Frenzy is typically held in person, however, the event will be held virtually to maintain the health and safety of Hoosiers during the COVID-19 outbreak and to follow Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s executive orders surrounding staying at home and social distancing. Students and families can seek assistance through the Commission’s Learn More Indiana social media platforms, which will be manned by Commission staff members during the live event. Staff will be answering common FAFSA questions and posting videos about the FAFSA.
Wayne County Health Department officials announced Wednesday, April 1, that they have learned two more Wayne County residents have tested presumptive positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of residents who have tested presumptive positive for COVID-19 to four. One resident was tested in Ohio. Wayne County health officials say they are working closely with Ohio State Department of Health and Indiana State Department of Health to provide a complete case investigation. As part of a case investigation, the Wayne County Health Department was informed an individual from a neighboring county tested presumptive positive for COVID-19.
As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, Reid Health has received more COVID-19 test results. It is showing 23 lab-confirmed positive cases in its eight-county service area and 46 patients in containment areas. It has submitted a total of 166 tests. The numbers include tests from Indiana State Department of Health and independent lab tests. They include inpatient, outpatient, and Emergency Department testing to date.
Effective April 8, Nettle Creek Gazette content will be added to Western Wayne News to provide full blend of countywide info
By Brenda and Jim McLane
Hometown Media Group is so blessed to be in Wayne County where people band together in tough times. The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown curve after curve to every individual and business, but people are not giving up. We are #WayneCountyStrong! Last week, we informally notified our store sites we would likely publish one more edition of each, the Western Wayne News and Nettle Creek Gazette newspapers, but would stop store deliveries. That meant the April 1 editions would only be mailed to subscribers.
Indiana now has 2,159 positive cases of COVID-19, with a total of 13,373 test results. Wayne County has two confirmed positive cases, and Randolph County has increased to 3. Fayette County now has 9 cases of COVID-19 and one related death. Franklin County now has 35 cases and 4 deaths related to COVID-19. Marion County leads the state with 964 cases and 17 deaths.
Wayne County health officials announced Monday that the county has its second presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in a resident. The local patient is self-isolating at home, and no more information will be released because of privacy laws. “In Wayne County we have been able to slow the case numbers down compared to some of our neighboring counties,” said Dr. David Jetmore, Wayne County’s health officer, in a news release. “This is all due to the sacrifices and cooperation of our citizens. We have always known we would have more cases; we just try to minimize the numbers.”
More East Central Indiana residents are getting COVID-19 tests, and deaths are being announced related to the highly contagious virus.
On Sunday, March 29, Fayette County health officials have confirmed the fifth positive case of COVID-19 in the county. The patient is hospitalized, and no further information will be released about the person because of privacy laws. Fayette County Health Department says it is working closely with local and state health officials to ensure contacts of the patient are identified and monitored, and that all infection control protocols are being followed. As of 7 p.m. Saturday, March 28, Reid Health has submitted 102 COVID-19 tests, with 10 positive results and 58 negative. Thirty-four results are pending.
The National Weather Service in Wilmington has issued a Flash Flood Watch for portions of East Central Indiana and Ohio, including the following areas, in East Central Indiana, Wayne. In Ohio, Champaign, Clark, Darke, Delaware, Franklin OH, Licking, Logan, Madison, Miami, Shelby, and Union OH. * Until 8 AM EDT Sunday
* Additional rainfall associated with strong thunderstorms will affect the area that received heavy rain and flooding this afternoon and evening. * AFFECTED AREAS: MADISON … UNION …