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1-shot vaccine clinic open afternoon, evening of Wednesday, March 31

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Wayne Country Heath Department  has announced another Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic this week, this time with 200 shots. The next clinic will be from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 31 at the former Elder-Beerman store, 601 E. Main St., Richmond. This clinic will be open only to those with appointments. Walk-ins will not be accepted. About 640 vaccines were distributed Saturday at the health department’s special event offering the Johnson & Johnson shots.

COVID 19 Wayne County

WCHD offering 600 walk-in COVID shots during 3-day blitz

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For the first time, Wayne County Health Department is accepting walk-ins for COVID-19 shots on three days while supplies last, starting the afternoon of Wednesday, March 3. Two hundred doses will be given per day at the former Elder-Beerman store, 601 E. Main St., Richmond. WCHD Executive Director Christine Stinson said the county will have extra doses because of the week of adverse weather and wants to get them into arms as soon as possible. Walk-in hours will be offered from noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, through Friday, March 5, for those who meet Indiana State Department of Health’s eligibility criteria to receive a shot. The list of eligible recipients grew on the morning of March 2 to those 55 and older.

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

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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

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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

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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.

Cambridge City

Wayne County COVID-19: Share your story

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Wayne County Government Launches Public Awareness Campaign Encouraging Masks and Other Precautions to Stop the Spread of COVID-19
Their mission:
Richmond, IN (December 16, 2020) – As Wayne County’s COVID-19 numbers continue to climb the urgency to wear a mask, social distance, and follow other recommended guidelines from the Wayne County Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is critical. Wayne County Government, along with a coalition of many other organizations, including health care, mental health, schools, and businesses, are using Cares Act grant dollars to develop a public awareness campaign. The Share Your Story COVID-19 Wayne County campaign focuses on personal stories of those who have been affected by the virus. Ken Paust, President of the Wayne County Commissioners, says it’s critical we slow the transmission of COVID-19 in Wayne County. “We want everyone to have a safe and happy holiday.

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Drive-thru testing site open this week in Wayne County

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Local vaccine shipment delayed, with fewer doses

Here are some local COVID updates:
• Indiana Department of Health and Wayne County Health Department are partnering to hold a free drive-thru testing clinic for COVID-19. The clinic opened Tuesday, Jan. 5, and will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Saturday, Jan. 9, outside Kuhlman Center on the Wayne County Fairgrounds, 861 Salisbury Road N., Richmond. Testing will be available to all members of the public regardless of symptoms. Children as young as 2 can be tested with parental consent.

News

Richmond mayor tests positive for COVID-19

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Richmond Mayor Dave Snow announced Tuesday night that despite his best efforts to stay healthy, he  has received a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. Snow said on his Facebook that he began experiencing mild symptoms late Monday night and went in for testing early Tuesday morning. Snow had attended a Richmond Common Council meeting on Monday evening. Although he is quarantined at home,  Snow said he plans to continue to serve the community and work virtually. “This pandemic has touched so many people and I am grateful that my symptoms are manageable,” Snow wrote.

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County’s vaccine shipment delayed, has fewer doses than expected

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If you tuned out pandemic news over the holidays, here are some local COVID updates and ideas for safe New Year’s alternative activities:

*Wayne County Health Department is looking for non-medical and medical volunteers to help operate its COVID vaccination clinic, which could open as soon as Jan. 11, when a shipment of Moderna vaccines is expected to arrive. Health officials initially announced vaccines would be arriving Jan. 4, but that shipment date was delayed a week. Those interested in volunteering at the clinic are asked to contact Dan Burk, the health department’s emergency preparedness coordinator, at dburk@co.wayne.in.us.

Cambridge City

Healthcare workers fear post-holiday virus surge

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Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb’s weekly news conference, November 18, was led by Dr. Kristina Box, Indiana’s State Health Commissioner, as the Governor and his wife quarantine at home per COVID-19 guidelines. Several members of his security detail tested positive for COVID the day before. While neither the Governor nor his wife have symptoms, they have participated in contact tracing and will get tested later in the week. Dr. Box recommends getting tested 48 hours from the first sign of positive symptoms in a close contact. Cases are rising dramatically in Indiana and across the Midwest.