Wayne County’s positive COVID cases have now surpassed 1,700, as of Sunday, Nov. 1, and the county counts 36 deaths related to the virus.
The county’s number of lab-confirmed positives have been increasing by the dozens in daily data released from Indiana State Department of Health.
Three of the recent local deaths related to COVID-19 all have been in the community, with none from long-term care facilities, according to Christine Stinson, executive director of Wayne County Health Department.
Local health officials said they had just been notified Wednesday about the death of a 65-year-old female who died Oct. 16. A 90-year-old female died Oct. 25, and a male in his early 70s died Oct. 22.
Fayette County was elevated Wednesday to being in the red, or the worst, level for the state.
Fayette County has 18 new positive cases as of Sunday, for a total of 925.
Fayette County has had 23 deaths, and its seven-day positivity rate for unique individuals is 31.9 percent.
Wayne County is in the third-worst category for cases – the orange level. (Yellow is next and blue is best).
Randolph County has had 510 positive cases and 11 deaths.
Henry County has had 1,556 cases with 30 deaths.
Franklin County has had 406 cases with 26 deaths.
Union County has had 133 cases and no deaths.
Free area testing sites
Cambridge City: The state-sponsored OptumServe testing site at 138 E. Main St., Cambridge City, is open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. weekdays. Appointments are preferred at https://lhi.care/covidtesting or by phone at (888) 634-1116. Those registering a minor or who don’t have internet access should call the toll-free number. Walk-ins are welcome.
Connersville: Free COVID tests are available in the westside parking lot of Fayette County Health Department, 401 Central Ave., Connersville. Those wanting a test should register online in advance at https://scheduling/coronavirus.in.gov, then call at (765) 825-4013 to let health care workers know they have arrived. They should stay in the vehicle and NOT enter the courthouse. Someone will come to them in the parking lot. Tests are available from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1-7 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays.
Richmond: Wayne County Health Department is offering tests at the former Elder-Beerman store, 601 E. Main St. It is open from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays. No appointment is necessary, but pre-registration at scheduling.coronavirus.in.gov is encouraged, and will make testing go faster.
New Castle: A free COVID-19 drive-through testing site is now available in New Castle for ages 5 and older. Henry County Health Department and Henry Community Health administer the Indiana State Department of Health testing site. The drive-through testing clinic is located at 1007 N.16th St. in the upper level parking lot outside of the HCH Respiratory Clinic. Enter either 14th or 16th streets to the parking lot with the driver’s side toward the building. Pre-registration is encouraged at https://scheduling.coronavirus.in.gov/. Testing hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays.
ISDH will notify you of your results within 3 to 5 business days, but if you don’t hear from them, call (877) 826-0011 between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.
Hours for the HCH Respiratory Clinic where you can see a provider are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday in the upper level of The Clinic at 1007 N. 16th St.