Over two days more than 30 people received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Brown County Music Center during a mass testing and vaccination clinic.

The Indiana State Department of Health deployed a mass testing and vaccination site at the music center on Sept. 3 and 4 due to the high transmission rates of COVID-19 both in and around Brown County.

At the site, the Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines were both administered. The strike force distributed 17 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 16 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Brown County Emergency Health Preparedness Coordinator Corey Frost said that of those who received the vaccine most were receiving their first dose of Pfizer or only dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The biggest number from the two days was in the amount of tests given, which topped out at 174 for rapid and nose swab tests given. Of the rapid tests, 14 returned positive for COVID-19. Results from the nasal swab tests were not yet available.

If a person tests positive for COVID-19 and develops symptoms, Frost said they should consider gong to the emergency room or calling 911 if they begin to have trouble breathing or get more severe symptoms.

In treating less severe symptoms, Frost said a person should consult their physician.

Of the over 200 people who went to the site for either a test or a dose of the vaccine, Frost said that it was split as far as Brown County residents versus out of county visitors, including people from out of state.

Frost said it’s likely that more strike clinics will take place in the future. He also said he’s hopeful for vaccination rates to increase in the county.

“That’s our way out of this,” he said. “It’s our only tool. Let’s all work together and get our vaccinations and get through this.”

Because of the high transmission rate Frost said more testing may need to be made available during nontraditional hours, such as after 4 p.m., and on the weekends. This data can then be used to help make decisions regarding COVID-19 locally, Frost said.

Vaccine appointments can be made online at ourshot.in.gov. COVID cases and county-by-county stats are also posted daily at coronavirus.in.gov.

COVID closures

Last week, Brown County was one of 21 counties in Indiana to remain in the “red” advisory level on the state health department’s COVID-19 spread map. Red is the highest of four levels.

Jackson County was the other surrounding county to remain in red with Bartholomew County and Johnson County being placed in orange and Monroe County in yellow.

In one week the county picked up 43 new COVID cases from Sept. 1 to 8. The number of partially vaccinated residents also increased by 109 in one week, bringing the county’s vaccination percentage to over 52 percent as of Sept. 8. No new deaths have been reported since Sept. 1 when one additional death was included in the state department of health’s update.

Last week, some local events were canceled due to the rise in positive COVID cases in the county.

The Brown County Community Foundation announced on Sept. 9 that the 2021 Color Walk set for Sept. 18 was canceled. It was to take place at Hard Truth Hills.

“After listening to feedback from concerned community members and reviewing the current red status of the county and region, the planning committee unanimously agreed to cancel the 2021 walk citing a responsible and safe decision,” a community foundation press release states.

“Even though it’s an outdoor event, people are telling us they don’t feel comfortable, especially with young children at risk,” BCCF CEO Maddison Miller said in the release.

The press release also states that experts agree that being in outdoors is safer than being indoors, but outbreaks across the country can be traced back to large, unmasked crowds, even in the outdoors.

“We owe it to our local first responders and healthcare heroes who have worked the front lines to step back, take a pause, and to do our part to stop the spread so that future events like the Color Walk can safely happen sooner, rather than later,” Miller said.

The event was to be a fundraiser for the BCCF’s preschool scholarship program. The release said their scholarship program still needs the community’s support “more than ever.” It ensures children from low-income households have access to high quality early education.

“Beyond the many short- and long-term educational benefits of preschool, this program also assists working families who are the key to our post-pandemic economic recovery by providing high quality care for those returning to the workforce,” the release said.

The program provided over $48,000 for 27 children to attend preschool in the 2020-2021 school year.

Preschool scholarships can still be made by texting the code COLORWALK to 44321, visiting browncountygives.org or mailing checks to BCCF at P.O. Box 191 Nashville, IN 47448.

The Midwest Distiller’s Fest, originally set for the first weekend of October at Hard Truth Hills, has also been canceled due to recent increases in COVID-19 cases.

The Brown County Public Library shifted to curbside service only on Sept. 10. The Brown County History Center announced it was closed to the public until further notice on Sept. 9 and an event at the Pioneer Village on Sept. 18 was also canceled.

Library patrons are able to pick up reserved items at the upper level entrance at 205 Locust Lane from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Cordry-Sweetwater Branch will have pickup available on Tuesdays from 2 to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays and Thursdays at 3 to 6 p.m.

To reserve books, movies and other items, patrons can place a hold through our online catalog or by calling the library. Copying, faxing and scanning services will also be available through curbside. Library cards are also available curbside.

Those needing computers or internet can call the library for an in-library computer session or take advantage of the free parking lot WiFi.

Library programs will continue virtually. Registration is required to receive a Zoom invitation. Visit the library website at browncountylibrary.info to sign up for Morning Story time, Novel Bunch Book Club, Mystery Book Club and September Craft Club.