Looking at the most updated COVID-19 map, Hoosiers are seeing red.
Both in the literal and figurative sense of the phrase.
Seventy-three of Indiana’s 92 counties now fall under the most extreme category of COVID-19 spread, red, while the remaining 19 counties are in orange.
Bartholomew County is among the few counties still avoiding the top tier of caution, but five of the six counties that touch it aren’t in the same position. (Decatur is the only other county in the area that has stayed in the orange.)
While most counties have seen their per capita and positivity rates increase in recent weeks, Bartholomew County hasn’t experienced a similar trend.
In fact, some of the county’s numbers are the best they’ve looked in months.
Since the turn of the new year, the number of daily new cases has been at its lowest average since November.
Outside of the 15 new cases recorded the day after Christmas, Jan. 12 had the fewest number of new cases (30) for a day since Nov. 3.
Bartholomew County has been a model in Indiana during the public health crisis, and it’s encouraging to see that the numbers are still reflecting that.
At no point has the county been labeled red by the state — a feat that few counties can claim.
However, the seriousness of the virus and its ability to spread like wildfire must still be taken into consideration each and every day.
Cases and hospitalizations are going down, but the number of deaths is increasing statewide.
The vaccine rollout has been much slower than hoped, and a new, more contagious strain of the virus has been found in Indiana. Local health officials are concerned the strain, similar to the one in the United Kingdom, could spread locally.
It’s as important now more than ever to continue practicing safe and healthy habits — such as wearing masks in public and observing proper social distancing.
Bartholomew County residents have proven they’re determined to keep their neighbors safe, and must continue to take personal accountability moving forward.
