CDC ranks Wayne County's COVID-19 community level as high

RICHMOND, Ind. — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists Wayne County's COVID-19 community level as high.

Thursday's calculations for the past week put the county in the high level because of 209.46 cases per 100,000 people, 11.5 new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 people and 6.8% of staffed inpatient beds being used by COVID-19 patients, according to the CDC.

Wayne, Henry and Fayette counties are among nine Indiana counties ranked at a high community COVID-19 level. Randolph and Union counties are among 43 Indiana counties ranked at the medium level. Darke and Preble counties in Ohio also score at the medium level.

The CDC says residents of counties with a high community level should wear masks when indoors in public, keep up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines and be tested if showing symptoms.

Christine Stinson, executive director of the Wayne County Health Department, said in a news release Thursday that 75 new COVID-19 cases among Wayne County residents were reported Thursday to the health department. She said that's the highest total since Feb. 3, and that does not include cases residents confirm only with home tests.

“We know there are high levels of community transmission of COVID-19 in our community right now based on laboratory testing results," Stinson said in the release. "And what is more concerning is the number of people in the containment area of the hospital is also rising. On Monday, Reid Hospital reported 12 people in the containment area for COVID-19.”

The Indiana State Department of Health on Wednesday reported Wayne County had 19,533 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases from the pandemic's March 2020 beginning through Tuesday. There also have been 333 residents who died from COVID-19 complications.

Two of those deaths have occurred during June, with the latest a man 80 or older dying June 25.

Wayne County's weekly case totals have exceeded 100 for three consecutive weeks, hitting 110 from June 6 to 12, 128 from June 13 to 19 and 101 from June 20 to 26. The June 20-26 number is still preliminary and will rise.

There had not been a triple-figure week since Feb. 14 to 20.

Already, the state has reported 319 Wayne County cases during June. That's an 11.9% increase over the 285 cases reported the entire month of May.

The overall case and death totals for surrounding counties are:

• Darke County: 12,757 positives and 240 deaths;
• Fayette County: 6,904 positives and 140 deaths;
• Henry County: 13,516 positives and 227 deaths;
• Franklin County: 4,466 positives and 55 deaths;
• Preble County: 9,804 positives and 200 deaths;
• Randolph County: 6,026 positives and 145 deaths;
• Union County: 2,072 positives and 20 deaths.

Indiana has recorded 1,772,183 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases and 22,901 COVID-related deaths through Tuesday. The Ohio Department of Health's weekly update reported 2,848,453 cases and 38,852 deaths Thursday.

COVID's case resurgence has enabled Wayne County's health department to extend its testing program. Through the state, the local health department will offer rapid and PCR testing through the end of the year at its 100 S. Fifth St. location.

“We had expected the grant to expire on June 30th, but recently were pleased to learn the state is extending the program to allow for continued community testing in Wayne County,” Stinson said.

The health department also continues to offer free walk-in vaccinations from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments are also available through www.ourshot.in.gov.

The CDC reports that 33,846 Wayne County residents are fully vaccinated. That's about 51.4% of the population. Of those fully vaccinated, 16,328 have received an initial booster dose, according to the CDC.

“If you have not received your vaccine, now is the time to do so, persons 6 months old and up are now eligible," said Dr. David Jetmore, the county's health officer. "Our department has both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine available. We will do the primary series and the booster series as well.”

Anyone with questions about eligibility for a booster shot may contact the health department at 765-973-9245.

Reid Health also continues providing free walk-in Pfizer vaccinations for ages 5 and older at its Residency Clinic, 795 Sim Hodgin Parkway. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 765-965-4200.

Vaccination hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon Friday.