The Brown County Health Department announced at 5 p.m. Monday that Brown County now has its first confirmed case of COVID-19, the coronavirus.
The resident tested positive today (March 23).
“The Brown County Health Department is working to identify who this individual may have come into close contact with as we begin to take appropriate steps and monitor the situation closely,” a press release states.
“The department will continue to collaborate with the state health department and recommends residents continue to practice prevention measures to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
Details about the patient, like their age and if they had any underlying health conditions, are not available at this time.
As of this morning, Indiana had 259 positive cases of COVID-19 with seven deaths reported.
“It’s important to remember this is a rapidly evolving situation and we will get through this,” the press release states.
Brown County Public Health Preparedness Coordinator Corey Frost said this afternoon that county officials do not receive data on how many Brown County residents have been tested at local hospitals or private physician offices, so it’s unclear how many local people have been tested for the virus.
If a resident tests positive, that result is sent to the Indiana State Department of Health, which then shares it with local health departments. Regardless of where a resident is tested, positive cases are categorized to a resident’s home county.
The health department stated that it needs to conserve resources like manpower, personal protective equipment, ventilators and other resources, so people are encouraged to comply with Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s order to stay home for two weeks.
“Be smart and make good decisions. Stay home if you’re sick. Working together and helping each other out will get us through this,” the health department’s press release states.
Several community groups are working together to help residents who have needs during this pandemic. The Brown County COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster) has a hotline that can be used to get help with essential needs and emergencies related to food, medicine, transportation and other issues. The hotline is 812-988-0001.
