Spring is here, and with the change in seasons comes a change in the status quo inflicted by a pandemic which rocked the nation for more than two years.
However, residents must always keep in mind that COVID-19 has not gone away, and citizens will see case numbers throughout the summer months, albeit much lower, Health Administrator Amber Reed said.
“From what we’ve seen in Indiana, and locally, numbers have continued to drop, which has been great,” she said. “We went from testing almost 100 a day to days when we’ve had zero. That’s largely due, in part, to some people having their home tests ... but then also that, right now, it just doesn’t seem to be as prevalent everywhere, and that’s a good sign.”
Reed noted a recent change in the state health department’s website, in that only positive cases will be reported. This is more in line with what residents have seen, Reed said. It also indicates the strain on hospitals, which is also nearly a non-issue at this point.
“The idea or thought behind that is just knowing the number of cases, the percentage of those that are hospitalized, and the percentage of those in the ICU. So we’re really looking at what that impact has on the hospital systems,” she said. “It’s not that positivity rate isn’t important, it’s just that it’s really hard to calculate now.”
Home tests and treatments which weren’t available during the height of the pandemic also played a role in the state’s decision to adjust its platform.
Though numbers are down, officials like Reed and Health Officer Dr. Scott Douglas warn that the virus will still be present throughout the summer and could rear its head again this fall. They suggest self-monitoring to prevent any potential spread, much as one would when contracting the flu or the common cold.
“Usually, we all have a day or two of trying to decide — is this COVID? So making that decision to stay away from others until we know is important,” Reed added.
More information can be found on both the county department website (www.in.gov/localhealth/montgomerycounty) and through the state’s website (www.coronavirus.in.gov).
The next meeting for the Montgomery County Board of Health is set for 6 p.m. May 24 at the county’s new Government Center, 1508 Constitution Row, Crawfordsville.
In other business, the board:
• Established planning dates and working groups for the distribution of a strategic plan, Wellness Coalition collaboration and scheduling.
• Announced the launch of the department’s revamped website (www.in.gov/localhealth/montgomerycounty).
