covid

COVID vaccines now offered to those 55-plus, or any age with qualifying health issues

By |

Hoosiers 55 and older are now eligible to receive the #COVID19 vaccine. As of March 2, individuals who have been identified by their physician as being part of a special health population also will be able to be scheduled for a vaccine. For the first time, those who have one of the following conditions are eligible to have their provider submit their information:

• Active dialysis patients

Sickle cell disease
Down syndrome
Post-solid organ transplant
People who are actively in treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, surgery) for cancer now or in the last three months, or with active primary lung cancer or active hematologic cancers (lymphoma, leukemia and multiple myeloma)

To make an appointment, their health provider first must submit their patient into the provider portal that was provided by Indiana State Department of Health. The patient then will receive a unique registration link to register for an appointment. The announcement was made shortly before 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 2, just one week after shots were made available to those 60-64.

News

Indiana opens COVID-19 shots to those 60-64

By |

Hoosiers 60 and older are now eligible to receive the #COVID19 vaccine. The announcement was made shortly before 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23. Those eligible can register at ourshot.in.gov or call a local phone number. State health officials urge vaccination seekers to be patient as wait times might be longer than usual.

Cambridge City

Majority of Indiana counties at orange COVID level this week, Wayne better at yellow

By |

In a week when Hoosiers are still digging out from a significant winter storm, Governor Holcomb’s news conference brought welcome news regarding Indiana’s COVID-19 positivity rates.  The color-coded maps “look the best they have in months” according to Dr. Kristina Box, Indiana’s State Health Commissioner Wednesday, February 17. No counties were at the red level this week, down from 4 last week.  Wayne County remains at the yellow level first achieved last week; however, the infection level decreased from 1.5 to level 1.  While this is a reason to be optimistic, County residents must continue to be diligent about measures to keep the spread contained until the majority are vaccinated. Other highlights:

Because of the unpredictability of when vaccine shipments will arrive in the state, Indiana will keep the threshold of those eligible at 65 and older.  Dr. Lindsay Weaver, Indiana’s Chief Medical Officer suggests that anyone receiving the first vaccine dose should take a picture of their vaccination card to help ensure the second dose is from the same manufacturer. Many organizations are helping with registration, transportation, and other barriers to getting vaccines into the arms of those who are eligible, including Area Agencies on Aging, AARP, library staff across the state and managed care partners.  Success stories were shared as these contacts have reached people who said they had not previously planned to get vaccinated. Dr. Box responded to a question about whether individuals who test positive with a variant strain of COVID are notified.  She responded that they are as ISDH wants to do additional contact tracing.  The other strains have been found to be more contagious than the dominant strain the US has fought since the pandemic first began.

News

Wayne County’s Level 2 travel watch expires

By |

The Level 2 travel watch expired at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16,  and Wayne County is now on a lower Level 1 advisory for roads maintained by Wayne County Highway Department and streets in Richmond and Centerville. A Level 1 travel advisory warns that those who must travel should use caution because of isolated blowing and drifting snow and scattered slick spots, making travel still hazardous.  It does not impose any restrictions on travel on county roadways. Motorists may travel at their own risk. If you must drive during this advisory, remain alert and use caution as you may encounter slick patches on roads and rapidly changing road conditions, especially where snow is blowing across a road.

Homepage Top Story

WCHD closes COVID vaccination, test site Tuesday; county allowing essential travel only

By |

Wayne County Health Department is announcing the closure of their COVID vaccine site for Tuesday, Feb. 16.  All appointments will be rescheduled for a later date.  WCHD officials said they will wait until all the bad weather is over before rescheduling. The health department also announced the closure of its Covid testing site along with the OptumServe testing site in Cambridge City on Tuesday, February 16th. County snow emergency

At 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15,  Wayne County Commissioners will declare a Level II Essential Travel Permitted Snow Emergency to be in effect in Wayne County, the City of Richmond and the Town of Centerville.  Possible Heavy Snow Accumulations, Blowing and Drifting Snow, road conditions will deteriorate rapidly this evening.  This Snow Emergency shall remain in effect until weather and road conditions improve sufficiently to ensure routine safe travel.

Homepage Top Story

Warming stations available around county during frigid weather

By |

Wayne County Emergency Management and  Communications staff have announced several local warming stations that are on call for residents who don’t have heat. With the continued cold temperatures expected in the area, we once again want to remind residents of our updated list of warming stations throughout Wayne County.  The following warming stations are on-call to protect citizens who may be without heat in the ongoing winter weather. Warming stations are intended for short-term use and will have minimal accommodations. Persons who intend to utilize the warming stations should call the designated contact prior to arrival.  Take your family’s emergency supply kit with you when going to a warming station.  Please bring any personal medications that will be required along with personal care items, snacks and items to occupy your time such as books, magazines and electronics. Please contact 211 to get agencies available locally that can assist with overnight accommodations and assistance with meals and other necessities that may be needed to get past this cold spell and for day-to-day living, if you or someone you know someone needs assistance.

Homepage Featured

Clues sought after man found dead on sidewalk near school

By |

Police are seeking information after a 30-year-old man was found dead on a Richmond sidewalk. Shortly after 7:15 a.m. Feb. 3, Richmond Police Department first-shift patrol officers were dispatched to the 1800 block of North C Street in reference to a man down call. The caller reported the person was lying on the sidewalk and not moving. Officers arrived and located Kevin Daniels, 30, of Richmond, deceased.  Capt. Curt Leverton said it appeared Daniels had been on the sidewalk for a period of time.  The Wayne County Coroner’s Office was called to the scene to assist.

News

Sheriff seeks public’s help to find missing Wayne County teen

By |

Wayne County Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s help in finding a missing 17-year-old boy. Sheriff Randy Retter said his staff is exploring different avenues to find Kyle Hokey-Jackson, who is originally from the Centerville area. The teen was last seen in the Richmond area early in the afternoon of Jan. 6, and the sheriff’s department was notified of his disappearance on Jan. 7.

News

Indiana now offering COVID vaccines to ages 65-69

By |

Indiana now has opened vaccinations to those who are 65 or older, or are first responders or health care workers. Volunteer first responders who interact with the public also are eligible. Reid Health operates a regional vaccination center at Kuhlman Center on the Wayne County Fairgrounds that generally has same-day appointments at Kuhlman Center between 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. As of late last week, about 200 open appointments still were available per day at Kuhlman Center, according to Dr. Thomas Huth of Reid Health. On Tuesday evening, appointments were plentiful on Wednesday and in the coming days at Kuhlman Center.