159 cases
(Greencastle, Ind.) Putnam County officials announced today that there are currently 159confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county. There have been no new cases in Putnam County for three consecutive days.
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.
The Optum Site has tested a total of 516 people as of June 14th with 16 tests coming back positive and 495 coming back negative. There are 5 results pending. The Optum site is looking for a new location as they want to continue testing until July 30th. They will need a new location beginning June 29th.
Visit https://pchosp.org/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.
Updates from Putnam County Hospital of Visitor Restrictions:
- Putnam County Hospital is lifting visitor restriction as of Monday, June 15, 2020. The following information are the recommendations that PCH will be following:
All patients and visitors should be screened for the following – Do you have a new cough, fever, shortness of breath, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, or new loss of sense of smell or taste? If a patient answers “yes” they should be masked and allowed to access the building for treatment.If a visitor answers “yes” they will not be permitted to access the building. They should be advised to follow up with their primary care provider, go to Prompt Care, or ED.
All guests are required to wear a mask while in the facility. If they do not have one, the facility will provide one for them.
COVID-19 Suspected or Confirmed Patients:
- Visitation to the COVID Unit is restricted
- Information for a family contact should be obtained upon admission. The designated contact may call nursing for updates on patient condition.
- Each day between the hours of 12:30pm and 4:00pm the hospitalist will contact the designated family spokesperson with an update on patient condition.
- At the patient’s request, FaceTime calls can be made using hospital provided devices if the patient did not bring a personal device with them.
- In the event of an emotional support patient need or end of life situation, the Attending Provider may approve 1 visitor. The visitor must pass the screening requirements. If screening requirements are not met, the visitor will not be allowed access to visit.
One Visitor Allowed in the Following Circumstances:
- ED – 1 visitor
- Outpatient Surgery – 1 visitor
- Inpatient Surgery – 1 visitor
Two Visitors Allowed in the Following Circumstances:
- Non-COVID-19 Units (including ICU’S) End of life/Comfort Care
- No visitors allowed under the age of 18 (age restriction does not apply in end of life situations)
- Hours of Visitation – 11am until 7pm (does not apply in end of life situations)
Additional updates:
- 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!
- Cloverdale and Crossroads Pharmacy is offer assistance to those in need of medication delivery. If you or anyone you know are in need of assistance with any medication delivery or even a loved one that may benefit from medication packaging for daily dosings, both Cloverdale and Crossroads Pharmacies can provide Home Delivery (with or without medication packaging) within a 15 mile radius of either store…so pretty much the majority of the county.
- Second Saturday is back! .They will be doing a Silly Safari animal show at 8:30 pm on the north side of Greencastle Presbytarian Church. (They are asking all to wear masks and stay in family groups six feet apart) followed by a drive-in movie at 6 pm.
- Effective Monday, June 22, 2020, the Courthouse will be open for business 8 am – 4 pm. This will also include “late” hours on Tuesdays for participating offices. All doors on the first floor will be open for Courthouse access. The County Commissioners strongly encourage the use of masks while out in public and at the Courthouse, as well as the continued practice of social distancing. There will be masks available at the Courthouse to employees and the general public on site to conduct business.
- 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 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.
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