Kosciusko At 14 COVID-19 Cases; Whitley Reports 1st Death
Kosciusko At 14 COVID-19 Cases; Whitley Reports 1st Death
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Kosciusko At 14 COVID-19 Cases; Whitley Reports 1st DeathTotal positive cases of COVID-19 in Kosciusko County increased by two to 14 as of Monday morning.
The county reported its first confirmed case on March 26.
Symptoms that positive cases reported when they were initially tested were: 93%, a cough; 64%, fever; 57%, shortness of breath; and 50% experienced muscle aches (myalgia), according to information from the Kosciusko County Health Department.
The department also provided information that demonstrates the difference between the new and old Indiana State Department of Health definition of “infectious period.”
The incubation period for coronavirus is two to 14 days, with an average of five days. Viral shredding occurs 48 hours before symptoms. The symptomatic period is two to 21 days, with an average of seven days. The “new” definition of infectious period is 48 hours before symptoms onset and seven days after the symptom onset and 72 hours fever free (without fever-reducing medication); and this is a change from the old infectious period definition which was seven days after symptom onset and 72 hours fever free (without fever-reducing medication).
Total confirmed cases of coronavirus globally has reached 1,289,380, with 70,590 total deaths. In the United States, there have been 337,971 cases, with 9,683 deaths, and in Indiana there have been 4,944 confirmed cases, with 139 deaths.
While Kosciusko County has not had a death yet due to COVID-19, a news release Monday afternoon from Amy J. Biggs, Whitley County Emergency Management director, stated that Monday morning the Whitley Health Department reported its first death of confirmed positive case of COVID-19. To date, there have been eight total confirmed cases in Whitley County.
The deceased was a man in his late 50s, and the health department is unaware of any previous health concerns.
To date, 26,191 tests have been reported to the ISDH, up from 22,652 on Sunday, according to a news release from the ISDH.
Marion County had the most new cases, at 204. Other counties with more than 10 new cases were Allen (12), Decatur (10), Hamilton (35), Hancock (12), Hendricks (20), Johnson (28), Lake (34), Madison (14), Morgan (10), Porter (20), Ripley (10) and St. Joseph (10). The complete list of counties with cases is included in the ISDH COVID-19 dashboard at www.coronavirus.in.gov, which is updated daily at 10 a.m. Cases are listed by county of residence. Private lab reporting may be delayed and will be reflected in the map and count when results are received at ISDH.
Six best practices to stay healthy, according to a news release from the Whitley County Health Department, include:
• Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or flexed elbow when you cough or sneeze.
• Avoid close contact 3 to 6 feet with people who are unwell.
• Stay home and self-isolate from others in the household if you feel unwell.
• Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
