The Washington County Department of Health announced today the death of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), according to Alicia Thompson, RN.
The individual was an adult from Washington County, who died at Schneck Medical Center today.
The person, who was over 60 had been hospitalized as a COVID-19 patient.
No further information about the patient will be released due to HIPAA privacy laws.
There have been 1,213 deaths in Indiana due to the Covid-19 virus since early March.
Sixty-two deaths were reported since yesterday.
There have been 292 tests administered to Washington County residents and 45 total cases reported.
There have been no new cases in Washington County for the past three days.
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a novel or new, coronavirus that has not been previously identified.
It is not the same as the type of coronavirus that causes the common cold.
COVID-19 is most commonly spread from an infected person to others through:
Respiratory droplets released into the air by coughing and sneezing;
Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands;
Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands; and
Rarely, fecal contamination.
Many people who acquire COVID-19 will have mild symptoms, can self-isolate, and do not need to be tested. Older individuals and those with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for
severe illness.
The best ways to protect yourself are to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, avoid close contact with people who
are sick, stay home when you’re sick, cover your cough or sneeze and clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to
remove the mask without assistance.
The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in
the case you are infected.
Visit the Indiana State Department of Health’s COVID-19 website at https://coronavirus.IN.gov for
more information, including frequently asked questions about COVID-19.
