Brown County still under ‘red’ COVID restrictions
COVID-19 is still spreading in Brown County.
From Nov. 18 to 26 (Thanksgiving), Brown County gained 59 new cases of COVID-19 and two more people died from it (one age 89, the other unknown), taking our total deaths to five since the pandemic began in March and our total cases to 351. By Monday, we were up to 381 total cases.
As of Nov. 25, according to the Indiana State Department of Health, Brown County had met the minimum thresholds to move down to “orange” status from “red” on the state’s color-coded map of virus spread. Those measures are to stay below a certain number of new cases within a week’s time and below a certain percentage of positive results among all tests given.
However, Brown County has not been released from red-level restrictions yet, because the county has to meet the lower-level thresholds for two weeks to move to the lower level of restrictions, said Susan Armstrong, director of the Brown County Emergency Management Agency. That means we’re still operating under the red zone until at least Dec. 9, she said.
Under red restrictions:
- social gatherings indoors or outdoors of any kind are limited to 25 people;
- vulnerable populations are advised to remain isolated and holiday gathering participation is not advised;
- all businesses must adhere to strict social distancing guidelines; curbside pickup is preferred;
- local officials may consider limiting hours for the operation of bars, nightclubs and restaurants (local officials haven’t set any limits in Brown County); and
- special, seasonal or commercial gatherings are to be no larger than 25 people, and they aren’t advised to happen. If any more than 25 people are invited, plans must be approved at least seven days in advance by the local health department.
The ISDH map is updated each Wednesday at noon at coronavirus.in.gov.
Regardless of what a county’s color code is, throughout public places in Indiana it’s still required that you wear a face covering and keep a distance of at least six feet between yourself and someone not in your household.
Churches are exempt from the state’s COVID-19 rules, but they may choose to follow them.
COVID testing center switches to reservation only
Free COVID-19 testing will continue to be offered at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville this month, but testing will only be given with an advance reservation.
This is “due to the overwhelming amount of testing being performed,” said Corey Frost, the county’s emergency preparedness coordinator. Previously, testing had been offered by reservation and by drive-up with no reservation, which was causing some long lines and wait times. One week in mid-November, 170 people were tested in one day.
Tests can be scheduled by going to scheduling.coronavirus.in.gov. Three appointments are available per each 15-minute slot.
Testing center hours for December are:
- Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Second, third and fourth Saturdays (Dec. 12, 19 and 26), 9 a.m. to noon.
- The center is closed daily from noon 1 p.m. for lunch.
- The center is closed on Sundays, Mondays and holidays.
Testing is available to all members of the public regardless of symptoms. Children as young as 2 can be tested with parent consent.
The address is 200 Maple Leaf Boulevard, Nashville.
The phone number is 812-320-1124.
Playhouse going dark until beginning of March
The Brown County Playhouse has canceled its holiday entertainment schedule and will not host any shows until March, board member Patty Frensemeier says.
The “It’s a Wonderful Life” radio show and the “Believe” holiday music show are on the “canceled” list. Movies won’t be shown either, she said.
“We already had decided we were going to go dark in January and February and not even show any moves, but because of the situation, we have decided to go dark for the rest of the year,” Frensemeier told the Brown County COAD (Community Organizations Active in a Disaster) group Monday morning.
At least two Playhouse board members have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past three weeks.
The Playhouse box office will continue to be open on weekends, though, so that people can purchase gift certificates or season tickets or make donations to the Playhouse, since the theater will not be able to make an income for the next few months, said Playhouse volunteer Nancy Crocker.
Sheriff’s department affected by COVID-19
One county deputy has COVID-19, another has recovered from it and a couple jailers have tested negative, Keith Baker reported at this week’s COAD meeting.
In order to keep inmates safe and law enforcement officers healthy to work, the sheriff’s department has gone back to some of the COVID-19 restrictions it was under in the spring. For instance, volunteers for TRIAD are working out of a shed instead of the Law Enforcement Center building, Baker said. He volunteers with TRIAD and the sheriff’s department reserves.
“Essentially, we’re still in lockdown,” he said. “… We’re being really careful right now in the sheriff’s office trying to keep the inmates safe. We’re still taking all calls, but some routine matters are being held off on for awhile, police matters that can be investigated later, just minor things. The guys are working hard to keep up.”
TRIAD does plan to make 130 deliveries of Christmas gifts, food and poinsettias within the next couple weeks as planned, he said.
