Indiana has once again shattered its record for the single-day increase of COVID-19 cases. Another 2,328 cases were added to the state’s total in Friday’s update from the Indiana Department of Health, the first time that number has surpassed 2,000.

State health officials say that does include a backlog of about 300 cases whose reporting was delayed due to a technical issue, but the state would still likely have broken its record without them. That brings the state’s total to almost 143,500.

Washington County continues to see a steady daily increase with  17 new Covid-19 cases today, according to the Indiana State Department of Health — a new record since the pandemic was first announced in the US earlier this year. 

In the past 15 days, Washington County has had 67 new cases of Covid-19, which is the largest 15-day increase since numbers were recorded in March. 

Here’s a breakdown:

• March 1-15 – 18 cases
• April 1-15 – 9 cases
• May 1-15 – 10 cases
• June 1-15 – 9 cases
• July 1-15 – 12 cases
• August 1-15 – 46 cases
• September 1-15 – 21 cases
• October 1-15 – 67 cases

The state began opening back up in July and school was able to begin in-person instruction in August, which led to increased cases around Indiana. 

There are more than 1,300 COVID-19 patients in Indiana’s hospitals, according to the state’s latest statistics, and just over 32 percent of the state’s intensive care beds are currently available.

Another 22 Hoosiers have died from COVID-19, bringing the total to 3,654.

This afternoon West Washington School Corporation was notified that two sibling Junior/Senior High School students tested positive for Covid-19. 

According to a release from Superintendent Keith Nance, the last date the students were in school was Monday, Oct. 12. 

Due to the school moving to partial virtual schooling on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 

Nance said the students were asymptomatic and not tested until Wednesday after a family member became ill and the entire family was tested. 

Nance said the positive results were shared with the school today. 

He said school administration began immediately performing contact tracing for any staff or student that might have been in close contact with the positive individuals on Monday. 

All staff and students that were determined to have been considered close contact by CDC definitions were isolated and sent home with instructions to quarantine for the required amount of time. 

Nance said if a decision is made to change the upcoming schedule in any way, it will be communicated in the next 24 hours. 

The school had planned on one more week of virtual hybrid education with students in school on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and at home on Tuesday and Thursday.

A custodian had tested positive last Sunday and the decision to move to a hybrid combination came on Monday due to much of the custodial staff in quarantine. 

Salem Community Schools moved to virtual on Friday due to Covid-19 cases among teachers and staff after returning from Fall Break. 

Salem hopes to return to in-person education on Nov. 2

Indiana has had increasing numbers and is one of 11 states with increasing positive cases trending upwards. 

In fact, Washington County had 17 new cases today and a total of 38 cases this week. Saturday’s update will include a number of new cases from Friday. 

East Washington Elementary School identified a staff member who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Those who were in close contact with this individual have been contacted.

According to Superintendent Dennis Stockdale wrote on social media that if parents, staff, and students have not heard directly from the elementary office, they are not considered direct contact.

A Washington County rivalry game between the Salem Lions and West Washington Senators high school football teams was to have played out tonight at Art Sanders Field. 

However, both schools have decided to cancel the game due to concerns over Covid-19 exposure and after consulting with the Washington County Health Department.

According to Salem Community School Board President Rodney Brough, both schools mutually decided to cancel the contest. 

West Washington Superintendent said it was a consensus decision that the playing of the game was not in the best interest of either team. 

“It is frustrating for both teams, but those responsible for our schools have to make the best decision possible for our children and school,” said Nance, who is also the West Washington Senator Head Coach. “I am afraid if people don’t start taking Covid seriously it could jeopardize a lot for our children, as students, as athletes and as young people growing and developing socially and emotionally.”

“With numbers being high, and given the current situation of both schools doing virtual learning, we decided it was the best thing to avoid any risk of sickness for the students, staff and fans,” said Brough. 

Salem had several staff members either test positive for Covid-19 or quarantine due to exposures over fall break. 

West Washington had a member of their custodial staff test positive for Covid-19 last week and several of their custodial staff have been quarantined as a result. 

West Washington went to a hybrid setting of two days a week of virtual learning from home. The school hopes to get back in the classroom by Oct. 26. 

Salem went to full virtual learning starting today and hopes to be back in school on Nov. 2.

Nance said after a discussion between the school administrations, athletic administrators and coaches, the decision was made to follow the consultation of the health department. 

“Although our communities love the rivalry between West Washington and Salem, both schools believe the safety of our players and the upcoming IHSAA tournament need to be our priority at this time,” Nance wrote in a press release. 

“This is a stark reminder that Covid has not gone away and that our communities need to take this seriously,” Nance indicated. 

“We ask that you do it for our schools and our children. Please continue to wear a face cover, frequently wash your hands, practice social distancing and keep your social circle small,” said Nance. 

West Washington is set to play at North Daviess for their sectional opener next Friday night. 

Salem will host Corydon next Friday night. 

Note – WSLM 1220 AM is playing a repeat of last year’s Salem vs. West Washington game. This is a pre-recorded game from last year and is not live.