From Local Sources

JASPER — The Dubois County Health Department confirms 43 more positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the countywide total to 161 cases.

Thirty-one of the 161 cases have recovered, according to the department. Two deaths have been reported in the county.

The department reminds the public that they are only able to report positive cases as they receive the results. The agency reported eight new cases in the county on Saturday and 33 on Sunday.

The department said in a press release that the spike in numbers was expected due to the Indiana State Department of Health Strike Team testing at locations in the county last week. The strike team was expected to test at the Dubois County Community Corrections Center Thursday of last week and at the Farbest plant in Huntinburg on Friday.

“Testing is a primary method in preventing COVID-19 from spreading in a community,” the press release states. “Testing helps people isolate and helps slow the spread of transmission.”

Dubois County Health Officer Dr. Ted Waflart advised in the press release that community members need to be cautious.

“We all need to continue to follow the guidance and safety precautions and protect ourselves and others as we move forward in the fight against this virus,” he said.

According to Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center’s COVID-19 Dashboard, the Jasper hospital has submitted 701 tests. Of those, 596 were negative and 14 are pending. The hospital notes that a patient’s address will determine what county reports the positive case.

Memorial Hospital’s testing is not the only COVID-19 testing happening in the county now. Another COVID-19 testing site opened at the National Guard Armory earlier this month in Jasper, a result of a partnership between the Indiana State Department of Health and OptumServe Health Services to expand testing across the state. An ISDH strike team also tested in the county last week.

ISDH reported Sunday 511 new cases, bringing the statewide total to 27,778. A total of 1,607 Hoosiers have died from the virus. An additional 144 probable deaths have been reported.