Editor’s Note: The following COVID-19 update is brought to you through a collaboration of healthcare partners including Delaware County Health Department, Delaware County Emergency Management Agency, Delaware County Office of Information, and other major healthcare providers.
Muncie, IN—As of Sept. 13, the Indiana State Department of Health indicates that Delaware County is one of two counties currently ranked “orange” on the ISDH metrics for COVID-19 map. The map assigns a color to each county based on weekly cases and 7-day positivity rates. In order from best to worst, the colors are blue, yellow, orange and red. The map is calculated and updated every Wednesday. Local calculations based on the latest numbers suggest that Delaware County should be moving to a yellow ranking in the next update on Sept. 23.
The county’s 7-day positivity rate, as of Sept. 22, is at 5.9% (down from 10.3% last week); the CDC suggests this number should be well under 5%. Since Sept. 15, Delaware County has reported 129 new cases of COVID-19 and 1 new death, bringing the county’s total numbers since March to 1,882 cases and 60 deaths.
IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital is treating 23 confirmed cases, with two of those patients on ventilators. Of the 23 patients being treated, 16 are Delaware County residents. All Delaware County patients are over the age of 40, with 14 of the 16 being over the age of 60.
The Delaware County Health Department explained that additional positive cases may be present at Ball State University, as positive case reports are assigned based on one’s permanent county of residence.
According to the university’s COVID-19 dashboard, more students and staff are believed to have recovered than are currently infected. The dashboard estimates that a total of 37 cases are active throughout the university, as of print, whereas 947 students and staff are estimated to have already recovered from previous cases.
The university has partnered with IU Health to test students and staff with symptoms of COVID-19. It has also partnered with Open Door Health Services to offer on-site testing at Worthen Arena for those who are asymptomatic.
Open Door is still offering community testing in partnership with the Delaware County Health Department, too. These tests—available to those with or without symptoms—are of no cost to the individual, but insurance will be billed if applicable. Those who wish to get tested must register online in advance at opendoorhs.org/testing.
For more information on Delaware County’s COVID-19 total cases and deaths, as well as testing location information, visit dcema.com.
Staying Safe from COVID-19
To keep yourself safe from COVID-19 and to reduce the spread of the disease, wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds, wear a mask when inside public spaces or when in crowded areas, and practice social distancing.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone who tested positive, schedule an appointment to get tested as soon as possible. Self-quarantine until you have received negative test results. A list of testing locations can be found on the Delaware County Indiana Coronavirus hub.
Events with more than 250 attendees are required by the state government to be approved by the local health department. If you plan to host an event that may exceed 250 attendees, please contact the Delaware County Health Department at 765-747-7721.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
People who have COVID-19 may exhibit any range of these symptoms, and some may even show no symptoms at all. Symptoms may appear 2–14 days after being exposed to the virus. Some symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- • Fever or chills
- • Cough
- • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- • Fatigue
- • Muscle or body aches
- • Headache
- • New loss of taste or smell
- • Sore throat
- • Congestion or runny nose
- • Nausea or vomiting
- • Diarrhea
Anyone with these symptoms should stay home as much as possible and limit their exposure to others. Children who have any of the above symptoms should be kept home from school. For more information, read the Indiana State Department of Health’s guidelines for returning to school here.
What should I do if I think I might have COVID-19?
If you have any of the above symptoms or have been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, you should immediately begin to self-quarantine to prevent spreading the disease to others. You should also call a local health clinic to arrange to be tested. Follow your doctor’s orders and continue to self-quarantine until you receive negative test results.
Children who exhibit any of the above symptoms should NOT be sent to school. If your child shows any of the listed symptoms, keep the child home in quarantine and contact your healthcare provider for further guidance.
Where can I get tested?
Several local health clinics offer COVID-19 tests, including Meridian Health Services, Open Door Health Services, and more. For a complete list of testing locations in Delaware County, visit the Delaware County Indiana Coronavirus Hub. Be advised that some locations may test only those who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19.
Open Door is also offering on-site testing. If you would like to have on-site testing at your organization or event, email info@opendoorhs.org.
