Experts urge Christmas COVID-19 caution
12/23/20 3:25 AM
GREENFIELD Although the first doses of COVID-19 vaccines are being distributed in Hancock County and around Indiana, local and state officials are still urging Hoosiers to exercise caution starting this week, when holiday gatherings are expected to be a major driver of coronavirus community spread.
Experts agreed that the best thing to do to limit the spread is to celebrate the holidays only with members of your own household. However, many Americans will likely gather on Christmas and New Year’s Eve anyway. During the past weekend, airports screened more than a million passengers each day, the most since Nov. 29, in a sign that public health pleas to avoid holiday travel are being ignored, despite an alarming surge in COVID-19 cases, The Associated Press reported.
COVID-19 vaccinations continue
By Mitchell Kirk | Daily Reporter
GREENFIELD Hancock Regional Hospital had another full day of COVID-19 vaccinations Monday and anticipates similar turnouts this week.
The hospital began administering a COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer to front-line health-care workers on Friday, Dec. 18. Those who received shots were scheduled to return in 21 days for the second dose.
Almost all of the 192 people scheduled to receive vaccinations on Friday received them, said Tim Livesay, director of pharmacy for the hospital. On Monday, Dec. 22, another full day of 192 were scheduled, he added. Health-care workers receiving the vaccine are not just from Hancock County; medical professionals from nearby counties are also coming here to be vaccinated as well.
County downgraded to red status
12/10/20 8:20 AM
HANCOCK COUNTY With all of its COVID-19 indicators continuing to trend upward, Hancock County has officially been designated with the most severe status by the Indiana State Department of Health, with its “red” status indicating a very high level of community spread.
Government and health officials are strongly urging county residents to be cautious in their behavior to avoid spreading the virus, including by limiting contact with others as much as possible.
On Wednesday, Dec. 9, Hancock County reported 102 new positive cases of COVID-19, and two additional deaths. Both of the deaths occurred on Dec. 7. The county’s total number of deaths is now 69, and its total number of positive cases is 3,664. Its positivity rate is 17.7%.