COLUMBUS, Ind. – The COVID-19 Community Task Force is reporting that coronavirus cases and hospitalizations have both significantly increased in the last several weeks. Over 40 new cases have been verified in Bartholomew County each of the last two days.
The most recent data shows that as of August 19, Columbus Regional Health (CRH) is treating 35 patients with the virus, up from zero just five weeks ago. During the month of July, CRH averaged fewer than five COVID-19 patients per day but over the past eight days, the average has skyrocketed to 26 daily.
Statewide, statistics are showing the same trend. The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) said the Friday update documented 4,120 new cases of coronavirus for Thursday, the highest number of cases in a single day since January 13. The state has now certified 817,149 residents as having been infected with the disease since March 2020.
ISDH also said there were an additional 14 deaths and now 13,797 Hoosiers have died from COVID-19.
Bartholomew County has recorded 8,840 cases, Jackson County confirms 5,524, Jennings County reports 2,687, and Johnson County certifies 20,260 cases of the virus over the last 17 months.
Local health officials urge you to get vaccinated, wear masks, and practice social distancing.
