Editor’s Note: The following COVID-19 update is brought to you through a collaboration of healthcare partners including the Delaware County Health Department, Delaware County Emergency Management Agency, Delaware County Office of Information, and other major healthcare providers.
According to the Indiana State Department of Health, Delaware County is currently considered to have “moderate to high community spread” of COVID-19. ISDH is scoring each county on new cases, positivity rate and change in positivity rate. Counties are given a score of 0-3, with 0 indicating minimal community spread and 3 indicating high community spread. Delaware County’s score is 2; only seven other counties in the state have a score of 2 or worse.
As of Sept. 4, Delaware County has seen 413 new cases of COVID-19 since Aug. 28. The county’s positive testing rate was last reported to be 13.9%, according to the Indiana State Department of Health. The CDC suggests this number should be well under 5%. Ten confirmed cases are being treated at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, 5 of which are Delaware County residents. Three of the 10 cases are on ventilators. There have been no new deaths since Aug. 28.
“Additional cases may be present at Ball State University,” the Delaware County Health Department explained. “Positive case reports are assigned based on county of residence; therefore, Delaware County only receives Delaware County resident results directly. Ball State University is actively engaged in testing and internal contact tracing to ensure proper management of its student population.”
Ball State recently expanded its availability of COVID-19 tests, now offering walk-in tests at Scheumann Stadium and Worthen Arena.
Open Door Health Services, in partnership with the Delaware County Department of Health, is also offering expanded community testing. Beginning Sept. 10, anyone can get tested outside of Open Door’s 333 S. Madison St. location in Muncie. Community testing will be available five days a week:
- • Monday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
- • Tuesday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- • Thursday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
- • Friday, 7 a.m.-1 p.m.
- • Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon
The tests will be of no cost to the individual; insurance will be billed if applicable. To be tested, individuals will need to register and select a testing time online in advance. Registration information will be announced soon, Open Door said. On-site registration will also be available for those who are unable to register online.
“The Delaware County Health Department is honored to be partnering with Open Door Health Services to expand COVID-19 testing in our community,” said Jammie Bane, DCHD Administrator. “ODHS saw a huge need in our community and has taken on the task in order to serve our citizens.”
