A new map from the Indiana State Department of Health is meant to guide local schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
ISDH has introduced a color-coded map to track COVID-19 community spread across the state, along with new guidance for schools as they navigate positive COVID-19 cases.
The map includes county scorings based on three metrics — weekly cases per 100,000 residents, the 7-day all positivity rates, and the change in percentage positivity from the previous week.
The scores are used for the color-coded rating system indicating the county’s level of risk and community spread of COVID-19.
According to the ranking system, three of 10 counties in the WSLM Listening Area are designated with the color yellow, which indicates a moderate community spread.
For counties designated with yellow, the state encourages schools to exercise additional caution in terms of mask-wearing, social distancing, and hand-washing, as well as considering restricting attendance at athletic events to parents and close family.
The state’s guidelines are only recommendations, and they do not include any mandates.
Weekly Cases Per 100,000 Residents
- Blue – Less Than 10 new cases(0)
- Yellow – 10 to 99 new cases(1)
- Orange – 100 to 199 new cases(2)
- Red – 200 or more(3)
Weekly Score
- Blue (0 and .5)
- Yellow (1 and 1.5)
- Orange (2 and 2.5)
- Red (3)
The color ranking ranges from blue for a minimal community spread to red for high community spread.
The map and scores will be updated each Wednesday.
According to the ranking, here is information on the following counties:
- Lawrence County had 81 weekly cases per 100,000 residents and a 7-day positivity rate of 10.51%.
- Jackson County had 61 weekly cases per 100,000 residents and a 7-day positivity rate of 2.78 %.
- Jennings County had 54 weekly cases per 100,000 residents and a 7-day positivity rate of 5.28 %
- Orange County had 54 weekly cases per 100,000 residents and a 7-day positivity rate of 5.28 %
- Washington County had 121 weekly cases per 100,000 residents and a 7-day positivity rate of 6.9 %
- Scott County had 50 weekly cases per 100,000 residents and a 7-day positivity rate of 1.37 %
- Clark County had 132 weekly cases per 100,000 residents and a 7-day positivity rate of 8.53 %
- Floyd County had 100 weekly cases per 100,000 residents and a 7-day positivity rate of 8.02 %
- Harrison County had 120 weekly cases per 100,000 residents and a 7-day positivity rate of 5.49 %
- Crawford County had 85 weekly cases per 100,000 residents and a 7-day positivity rate of 2.4 %
State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box said in a recent governor’s briefing that the map is meant to assist schools when they are making decisions such as determining in-person or virtual instruction or extracurricular activities.
One of the recommendations for a county designated orange, or moderate to high spread, in the state’s ranking is to consider switching to a hybrid in-person and virtual model for middle and high school students.
To view the statewide COVID-19 map, go to https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/2393.htm.
