Dr. Brian Niedbalski
Local health officials say Bartholomew County is amid another rise in COVID-19 cases that they expect to continue for the next few weeks and are urging residents consider masking and avoiding large indoor gatherings.
The rise in cases, which officials characterized as “fair amount of increase,” is expected to continue for at least the next two to three weeks, though the severity of the wave of infections is uncertain. Currently, the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations at Columbus Regional Hospital remains at a “manageable” level, officials said.
“Unfortunately it appears that we are in the midst of another increase in Covid cases in Indiana,” said Bartholomew County Health Officer Dr. Brian Niedbalski. “The forecast is for a continued increase for the next two to three weeks, although it is uncertain if this will extend beyond three weeks. It is also uncertain how steep of a rise we will see at the local level.”
The latest wave of infections comes as testing for COVID-19 has plummeted across the globe — including the United States — making it much tougher for scientists to track the course of the pandemic and spot new, worrisome viral mutants as they emerge and spread, The Associated Press reported.
Experts say testing has dropped by 70 to 90% worldwide from the first to the second quarter of this year — the opposite of what they say should be happening with new omicron variants on the rise in places such as the United States and South Africa, according to wire reports.
Reported daily cases in the U.S., for example, are averaging 95,813, up more than 57% over the past two weeks, according to data compiled by The New York Times. But experts believe that is a vast undercount because tests are being taken at home and not reported to health departments.
An influential modeling group at the University of Washington in Seattle estimates that only 13% of cases are being reported to health authorities in the U.S. — which would mean more than 737,000 new infections every day.
Reports of confirmed COVID-19 cases have risen across much of the Midwest over the past two weeks, including 60% in Indiana, 67% in Illinois, 83% in Ohio, 91% in Michigan and 106% in Kentucky, according to The New York Times’ coronavirus tracker. COVID-19 hospitalizations are up 26% nationwide.
Locally, some signs of increasing community spread of COVID-19 have emerged over the past week.
Columbus Regional Health officials said the hospital system has seen “fair amount of increase” in coronavirus-related appointments at outpatient facilities. Additionally, Columbus Regional Hospital saw an uptick in hospitalizations for the first time since the county came out of the omicron surge this past winter.
There were six people hospitalized at CRH with COVID-19 as of this past Wednesday, the hospital said. By comparison, hospitalizations had been hovering between one and two hospitalizations two weeks ago.
First United Methodist, 618 Eighth St., canceled morning worship services this past Sunday after a “significant number of people” in the congregations including its senior pastor, tested positive for the coronavirus.
Last week, Bartholomew County recorded its first COVID-19 death in 67 days, raising the overall death total from the virus to 243, according to the Indiana Department of Health.
“Spread is very high in the community right now,” said CRH spokeswoman Kelsey DeClue. “As spread remains high, we would certainly recommend people consider masking again, especially when in indoor public places with a lot of people and we would especially remind those experiencing any kind of upper respiratory or cold/flu-like symptoms to not go in public while experiencing symptoms and if they must, to please wear a mask.”
At the same time, tens of thousands of eligible Bartholomew County have yet to get vaccinated — which is what local officials say continues to be “our best defense against serious disease and death.” Last week, just 41 Bartholomew County received their first vaccine dose, state records show.
Overall, 64% of eligible Bartholomew County residents were fully vaccinated, compared to 71% nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Just half of fully vaccinated local residents have gotten a booster shot.
Niedbalski, for his part, said local residents should avoid large indoor gatherings and is encouraging people to get vaccinated or a booster shot if they are eligible.
“The public should try to avoid large indoor gatherings if possible,” Niedbalski said. “If they must attend, then I would highly encourage masking if social distancing can’t be maintained. They should stay home if showing symptoms of COVID-19 and either do a home test or see a medical professional if they have more severe symptoms.”
“Our best defense against serious disease and death continues to be vaccination,” Niedbalski added. “If an individual is eligible and due for a booster, I would encourage them to do so.”
