Local COVID-19 Count At 30; FSSA Launches Mental Health Resource Site
Local COVID-19 Count At 30; FSSA Launches Mental Health Resource Site
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Local COVID-19 Count At 30; FSSA Launches Mental Health Resource SiteKosciusko County remained at 30 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases as of noon Monday when the Health Department released its latest figures.
The county was at 29 on Saturday, but did increase by one to 30 by Sunday.
The KCHD also reported at least 13 of those cases have recovered and the number of deaths in the county remains at two.
Community members are reminded to complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VYQHQQ7 if they haven’t yet.
A response from the survey asks for more official information concerning reasons for the inclusion of heart disease as high risk for COVID-19.
In its release Monday, the KCHD responded that, “According to Harvard Health, viral illnesses can increase the demands on the heart, which can be worrisome for individuals who have a diseased heart that is already working overtime. Due to an overactive immune response due to SARS-CoV-2, the heart muscles begin to work harder. This viral response strains the heart, weakening the heart muscles, leading to irregular heart rhythms. Additionally, an overactive immune response leads to a fever, which can cause an increase in heart rate.
“Individuals taking ACE inhibitors or ARBs to help regulate blood pressure may also be at higher risk. These medications specifically target cells in the heart and lungs; the same cells COVID-19 targets. The virus and medications target specific receptors on these cells, and as a person takes these medications, their cells produce more receptors; thus, increasing the ability for the virus to infect these cells.
Finally, the virus may pose a special risk for individuals who have fatty build-up (plaque) in their arteries. Viruses can weaken the fatty build-up which may cause an artery blockage.
“These risk factors increase the mortality rate from COVID-19. The American Heart Association reports 40% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients have cardiovascular disease or cerebrovascular disease. The CDC reported 32.2% of confirmed adult COVID-19 patients have a cardiovascular disease. In Kosciusko County, 43% of positive cases have a cardiovascular disease.”
The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) on Monday announced that 963 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 15,961 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total.
A total of 844 Hoosiers are confirmed to have died of COVID-19. Another 88 probable deaths have been reported. Probable deaths are those for which a physician listed COVID-19 as a contributing cause based on X-rays, scans and other clinical symptoms but for which no positive test is on record. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days.
To date, 84,476 tests have been reported to ISDH, up from 81,708 on Sunday.
Cass County had the most new cases, at 439. Other counties with more than 10 new cases were Allen (49), Bartholomew (26), Clark (50), Fulton (10), Hamilton (16), Howard (35), Lake (53), Marion (133), Miami (28), St. Joseph (11) and Tippecanoe (15). The Lake County totals include results from East Chicago and Gary, which have their own health departments.
The complete list of counties with cases is included in the ISDH COVID-19 dashboard at coronavirus.in.gov. 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. The dashboard will be updated at noon each day.
The dashboard also has been updated to make corrections based on updated information provided to ISDH.
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Monday launched a new website, BeWellIndiana.org, that will provide Hoosiers with free mental health resources that have been vetted by experts, according to a news release from the FSSA. The site is designed to address the increase in anxiety, depression and other mental health issues caused by the pandemic, including both first-time issues, as well as preexisting mental health concerns.
Initially, BeWellIndiana.org will focus on the various mental health challenges due to COVID-19, but will be updated regularly and will continue to evolve as a resource beyond the current crisis.
Hoosiers can visit BeWellIndiana.org to find trusted resources curated by FSSA’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction, including information ranging from coping mechanisms, crisis counseling, how to self-monitor for signs of stress, domestic violence resources, substance use disorder and recovery and tips for helping children, youth and teens, according to the FSSA release. Videos featuring medical experts, persons in recovery and other practicing Indiana clinicians addressing specific mental health topics are also available on the site.
