"IT'S LOOKING GOOD FOR DUBOIS COUNTY:" Local Officials See Significant Improvement in COVID Cases

BY: DAVID SHEPHERD, NEWS DIRECTOR

JASPER -- Eight new cases of COVID 19 were reported in Dubois County on Wednesday, bringing the county's total to 854 positive cases since the pandemic began.

Shawn Werner is the head of the Dubois County Health Department.  He says, while we continue to see cases locally, the county is doing much better than before when it comes to COVID-19.

"As of last week, we reported 44 new cases, which was down.  That's a good thing.  We're currently standing at 46th in the state as far as per capita.  We've fallen from the number one we were at for quite a while, so it's looking good for Dubois County.  We just hope we can continue that fall and to minimize the spread."

But, to complicate things a bit….. Flu season is coming up, and the Dubois County Health Department is preparing for a tough few months.

"It's certainly a concern of ours.  It's going to be very difficult to determine whether they have the flu or COVID because the symptoms are very similar."

Some health officials fear flu season, on top of COVID-19 could overwhelm local resources like hospitals and coronavirus tests.  I took those concerns to our local health officials.

"Currently, with our hospitals and testing supplies, we're fairing pretty well.  I don't know what the future will hold, but, as far as I know, the testing supply and everything is in adequate supply right now.  They're coming out with rapid tests.  I know the government is working hard on getting the tests made and distributed.  I can't foresee the future, but I think, right now, we're sitting pretty well."

Susan Williams is a registered nurse and vaccine coordinator with the health department.

Local health officials continue to stress the importance of good hygiene, social distancing and wearing masks.  Those practices are good for preventing both flu and COVID-19.

We will be hearing much more from our local health officials through the week here on your local news.  Part two of my special series airs tomorrow afternoon.