136 cases

PCHOSP • May 29, 2020

(Greencastle, Ind.) Putnam County officials announced today that there are currently 136confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county.

The Putnam County Health Dept. confirmed today the OptumServe testing site will remain open until June 27, 2020. COVID-19 testing, offered free of charge, is available for high-risk Hoosiers showing symptoms of COVID-19 or in direct contact with someone who has the virus. Effective June 22, the testing site will move from its current location to Harris Hall at the Putnam Co. Fairgrounds.

Visit /testing-site-opens-may-13/ to learn who should be tested. Registration is required at https://lhi.care/covidtesting or(888) 634-1116. Testing is available Monday through Friday.

Since the OptumServe testing site opened on May 13, 253 people have been tested.

Additional updates include:

You may hear from the State’s contractor for contact tracing if you have come into contact with an individual who tests positive at the OptumServe test site. Expanded contact tracing is critical to stopping the spread of the virus into the community. Please be alert for emails or text messages that come from a different area code. Don’t ignore these messages!
Primary Election Day is Tuesday, June 2. There are a number of ways to vote early and
on Election Day. Here’s more information from Putnam Co. Clerk Heather Gilbert: https://pchosp.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/05-04-Primary-Election-Content- heather-gilbert-election-letterhead.pdf .
Local residents share why they wear a mask. Residents across Putnam County are sharing why they wear a mask. Check out the photos and reasons, attached to this release.
Bring a mask from home when out in public and wear it. Practice social distancing, too. Contact Putnam County’s Masked Mommas if you need a mask. Our dedicated community volunteers have made and distributed thousands of masks. Visit https://www.facebook.com/Putnam-County-Mask-Mommas-Sew-Serve- 100134314992282/ for a mask.
It’s Greencastle’s second Virtual First Friday. Visit to participate in tonight’s event.

It is imperative individuals take action to avoid COVID-19 to prevent its spread. A number of preventive steps include:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, especially with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are showing symptoms of illness.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Cover your cough or sneezes with a tissue or sneeze into your elbow.
Throw the tissue in the garbage and make sure to clean your hands afterwards.
Stay home when you are sick.
Wear face coverings in public when performing essential duties.
We are all in this together.

Putnam County is providing regular updates on COVID-19 to citizens as part of its effort to complement the daily updates from the Indiana State Dept. of Health. The updates can be accessed via www.coronavirus.in.gov .

To learn more about Putnam County’s coordinated response to COVID-19, please visit the Putnam County Hospital at www.pchosp.org/covid-19-updates or the Putnam County Health Department at www.putnamhealthindiana.org.