By Herald Staff

JASPER — The Dubois County Health Department reported today the county's 20th death related to COVID-19.

"We are sorry to report that we have been informed of another Dubois County death," stated a press release from the Dubois County Health Department. "We offer heartfelt grief for the family and friends who lost their loved one. This tragedy reminds the entire community the importance of following recommendations set out by the CDC."

The department said in the release that "we are seeing high community spread of COVID-19 in Dubois County."

"We understand that stage 5 has removed some restrictions on the number of people allowed at group gatherings and special events," stated the release. "However, it is still essential to physically distance yourself from others and wear masks while participating in these activities. This increase in viral spread impacts our schools, healthcare facilities and the entire community."

The county health department also reported today three new positive cases. Of the county’s 1,112 cases, 905 have recovered. A total of 8,793 Dubois County residents have been tested.

According to Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center’s COVID-19 Dashboard, the Jasper hospital has submitted 6,747 tests. Of those, 5,990 were negative. The hospital notes that a patient’s address will determine what county reports the positive case.

The Indiana State Department of Health reported Wednesday 1,302 new cases, bringing the statewide total to 128,227 cases. A total of 3,500 Hoosiers have died from the virus. Another 227 probable deaths have been reported.

Several things have changed at the COVID-19 testing site at the former Ruxer Golf Course building, which was formerly managed by OptumServe. The site at 400 S. Clay St. in Jasper is now open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed on Sunday and Monday.

Register for appointment at https://scheduling.coronavirus.in.gov/. You will have to click “I don’t have an invitation code.” If you do not have internet you can call the primary phone at 812-329-0523. If no one answers, leave a message and they will call you back. Results should be available within 72 hours. If you do not get your results, you can call the Indiana State Department of Health at 1-877-826-0011.

Testing is for anyone who lives or works in Indiana. Anyone can be tested, even those not showing symptoms. There is no charge for the testing. However, if you do have private health care insurance, you are asked to bring that to the testing site.

Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center also has a COVID-19 drive-thru testing site located at the corner of Third Avenue and Rumbach Street in Jasper.

The site is the former Old National Bank building next to Fazoli’s. It replaces drive-thru testing that was previously available at the Urgent Care Center in Huntingburg. A physician/provider order and appointment time are required. Drive-thru times are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call Memorial Hospital’s COVID-19 hotline at 812-996-6330 with any questions.

Other options for COVID-19 testing are:

• Memorial Urgent Care (507 E. 19th St., Huntingburg): Patient is evaluated by a provider who determines testing and treatment. Open daily, Monday through Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Memorial Hospital Emergency Department (800 W. 9th St., Jasper): Patient is evaluated by a provider who determines testing and treatment. Open 24 hours a day.