Indiana Confirms First Coronavirus Case, Dubois County Health Officials Say They Are Ready

BY: DAVID SHEPHERD, NEWS DIRECTOR

JASPER -- Businesses and residents in Dubois County are taking steps to protect you from the coronavirus.  

Indiana officials confirmed the state's first case of coronavirus case in Marion County.  CLICK HERE for more on that. 

Jo Ann Spaulding, the director of the Dubois County Health Department says many local companies are already looking at what they’ll do if the virus impacts them.  Local officials want the public to know as much as possible about coronavirus and to be ready to take action if cases arise here at home.

"[Coronavirus] is now spreading person-to-person," Spaulding explains.  "The risk for the United States is low.  Even with the threat being low, we still want to be prepared.  People can protect themselves from respiratory illnesses with everyday preventive actions." 

Those actions include .....  

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Some experts have said the coronavirus has a higher mortality rate than the flu but health officials here in Dubois County are skeptical about the logic behind the numbers.

"If you have two people infected, and one person dies from that, half the people are dying from this," says Spaulding.  "So, the rates may be misleading as far as knowing 1 out of 2 people die from this.  Well, if you only have two cases...."   

The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it. A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms to protect others from the risk of infection.

CLICK HERE for more information about Coronavirus from the CDC.