<strong>Brown County stays in ‘yellow’ category again</strong>
Brown County was categorized as "yellow" for the second week in a row on the state health department’s COVID spread map. The map at <a href="http://coronavirus.in.gov">coronavirus.in.gov</a> is updated each Wednesday at noon.
As of April 21, Brown County’s seven-day rate of new infections was 53 (calculated on a per-100,000 population scale) and our test positivity rate was 8.6. To get down to blue, the lowest level of restrictions, we’d have to have a new infection rate below 10 and a test positivity rate below 5.
Under yellow, by order of the Brown County health officer, face coverings are mandated to be worn in all businesses, restaurants are limited to 75 percent capacity, and gatherings of more than 100 people have to have permission and a safety plan approved by the local health department.
Brown County’s totals and changes between Tuesday, April 20 and Monday, April 26 were: 1,008 COVID cases (up one), 4,377 people tested (up 12), 40 deaths (no change) and 5,456 residents at least partially vaccinated (up 232). About 36 percent of Brown County’s population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
<strong>Federal aid available for COVID funeral expenses</strong>
People who had to pay for funeral expenses after Jan. 20, 2020, when that death was caused by or was likely the result of COVID-19, can now apply for funeral assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Details are posted at <a href="http://fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance/faq">fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance/faq</a>.
Applications for assistance began April 12. The COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number is 844-684-6333 and the line is answered Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
No online applications for assistance will be accepted.
The application process by phone takes about 20 minutes. Callers are encouraged to gather documentation before applying.
Funeral homes are not eligible to apply on behalf of a family or to be a co-applicant; the person applying must be an individual, not a business, who incurred the funeral expenses.
Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to: transportation for up to two people to identify the deceased individual; transfer of remains; casket or urn; burial plot or cremation niche; marker or headstone; clergy or officiant services; arrangement of the funeral ceremony; use of funeral home equipment or staff; cremation or interment costs; costs associated with producing and certifying multiple death certificates; or additional expenses mandated by any applicable local or state government laws or ordinances.
<strong>Email scam going around about COVID vaccines</strong>
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita and State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box are warning Hoosiers of a new scam targeting consumers who have received their COVID-19 vaccine.
Hoosiers are reportedly receiving unsolicited emails and text messages asking them to complete a survey about the Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccine. In exchange, consumers are offered a free product, but asked to pay shipping and handling fees. Instead, the scammers bill them and never send the product.
“Hoosiers should keep their guard up, safeguard their personal information, and take steps to avoid becoming victims of a scam,” Attorney General Rokita said. “If you receive an unsolicited message offering money or a reward related to the COVID-19 vaccine, we encourage you to file a report with our Office’s Consumer Protection Division. Our Office relies, in part, on consumer complaints to conduct investigations into scams and scammers.”
To identify and avoid falling victim to a scam:
<ul>
<li>Don’t give your financial, medical, or personal information to anyone claiming to offer money or gifts in exchange for your participation in a COVID-19 vaccine survey.</li>
<li>Carefully examine any message that claims to be from a trusted source. Don’t call or use the number in the email or text. If you want to call the company that supposedly sent the message to verify its legitimacy, look up its phone number online.</li>
<li>Don’t click on any links or open attachments. Doing so could install harmful malware that steals your personal information without you realizing it.</li>
</ul>
Hoosiers are encouraged to contact the Office of the Indiana Attorney General regarding any suspected scams or scam attempts. Consumers may file a complaint online by visiting <a href="http://indianaconsumer.com">indianaconsumer.com</a> or by calling 1-800-382-5516.
