Wayne County Health Department reported 144 lab-confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, Aug. 31, while state officials are offering a three-day drive-up testing and vaccination site at a local college to meet increased local demand.
Of those new illnesses reported Tuesday, 54 were in ages 18 and younger.
After a surge of positive tests in recent days, the 1,428 cases reported during August 2021 makes it the county’s second-highest month for infections.
November 2020 has been the highest month tallied for Wayne County, with 1,801 cases.
Drive-up testing, vaccines at Ivy Tech end Wednesday
Indiana Department of Health has set up a testing and vaccination site outside on the Ivy Tech campus, 2357 Chester Blvd., Richmond.
Wednesday, Sept. 1, is the team’s last day of operation at Ivy Tech, with hours of noon to 8 p.m. Both kinds of tests are available. Rapid antigen results are available immediately for those with symptoms. It takes a little longer to get results for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests.
Appointments are not required, but registering in advance at https://scheduling.coronavirus.in.gov. for a test or at www.ourshot.in.gov for a vaccine can save time on site.
Indiana Department of Health also is offering the Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines at Ivy Tech at no charge.
Ages 12-17 must receive the Pfizer vaccine. An adult must accompany children ages 12-15 to the vaccine appointment. If the adult present is not the parent or guardian, consent must be submitted in advance.
For anyone age 16-17, it’s preferred that a parent or guardian accompany the minor to the vaccination site, but when that’s not possible, the parent or guardian can provide written or verbal authorization.
A closer look at the numbers
“When we see someone in the hospital who is overweight and is diabetic who hasn’t gotten vaccinated, it is very frustrating,” said Dr. David Jetmore, Wayne County Health Officer. “This is preventable.”
As of Aug. 31, Reid Health had 43 patients in COVID containment areas, down two from the previous day.
Christine Stinson, Wayne County Health Department executive director, noted that the county is below the state in its vaccination rate.
“We are at 45 percent – we have to do better,” Stinson said. “We have to do much better.”
A few ongoing vaccination locations
Henry Community Health continues to offer vaccinations from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at Immediate Care at New Castle Family & Internal Medicine Northfield Park, 152 Wittenbraker Ave. Patients may walk in or call (765) 599-2754.
Although Reid Health is not offering vaccines at its Urgent Care or Ready Care clinics in Richmond or Connersville, it is offering the vaccine from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays and noon-4 p.m. Fridays at Kuhlman Center, 861 Salisbury Road N., Richmond.
Reid also offers the vaccine for its current patients at Reid Primary & Specialty Care in Cambridge City, and two of its Richmond medical offices, Pediatric & Internal Medicine and the Residency Clinic. Call for an appointment.
Wayne County Health Department offers COVID-19 vaccines from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at its office, 100 S. Fifth St., Richmond. Appointments can be scheduled at www.ourshot.in.gov, or walk-ins are welcome until 3:30 p.m.
Testing
Henry County still has a state drive-thru testing site located across from Henry Community Health hospital at 1007 N. 16th St., New Castle. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. Testing is free, but scheduling is urged at ourshot.in.gov.
Wayne County Health Department continues COVID-19 testing on weekdays at the former Elder-Beerman store, 601 E. Main St., Richmond. Appointments are required and are available at https://scheduling.coronavirus.in.gov.