From Local Sources

JASPER — The Dubois County Health Department confirms three more positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the countywide total to 30 cases.

According to the county health department, it is working closely with the Indiana State Department of Health and local officials to ensure that contacts of the patients are identified and monitored. Anyone who may have an exposure risk, has been or is being notified about potential exposures so that appropriate infection control procedures can be followed. The patients are in isolation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released new guidance for discontinuing isolation for persons with COVID-19, not in health care setting. Isolation is to be maintained for at least 10 days after illness onset and at least 3 days (72 hours) after recovery. Illness onset is defined as the date symptoms begin. Recovery is defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications with progressive improvement or resolution of other symptoms.

According to the county health department, over the last two months, many individuals reported illness that fit the criteria of COVID-19 but were not able to be tested.

"The majority of these individuals recovered on their own, at home, under self-isolation," states a county health department press release. "The upcoming increased availability for testing will provide a more complete picture of the spread of the virus, better track the infection, and isolate sick people. In order for the state to completely open and gather more information, more testing must be done."

The department added: "An increase in positive cases of COVID-19 should not cause alarm but rather give us all a continued awareness and responsibility to limit the spread of this infection, especially to our most vulnerable. Together we can limit the spread of this virus. Practice social distancing, good hand hygiene, stay home if you are sick, and wear a cloth face covering when in public."

According to Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center’s COVID-19 Dashboard, the Jasper hospital has submitted 462 tests. Of those, 388 were negative and 34 are pending. The hospital notes that a patient’s address will determine what county reports the positve case.

Another COVID-19 testing site opens at the National Guard Armory in Jasper today. The site is a result of a partnership between ISDH and OptumServe Health Services to expand testing across the state.

People needing tested may register by appointment only, either online here or by phone at 888-634-1123.

ISDH reported Tuesday 541 new cases, bringing the statewide total to 21,033. A total of 1,213 Hoosiers have died from the virus. Another 113 probable deaths have been reported.