Although the Washington County Government Building is closed until August 12 due to an employee testing positive for Covid-19, the health department is still helping people.

According to Washington County Health Nurse Alicia Thompson, RN, the office has a designated window to assist the public.

“Anyone needing service may call the Health Department [(812) 883-5603] or knock on the designated window (far left window on the lower end of government building),” said Thompson. 

“Nurses continue to give immunizations by appointment only and done outside under the overhang at the glass double doors,” she said. 

“Due to the building being closed to the public, we can only take cash for any services needing to be paid for. Insurance will still be charged for those that are in-network with the health department,” according to Thompson. 

The government building and clerk’s office are closed to the public coming inside.

“Each office will conduct business as they did previously during our initial pandemic closure,” said Thompson. “It is best to call each office before showing up to verify what procedure the office is operating by.”

Thompson verified that there is a positive test for Covid-19 of a county employee. 

“That office has been closed and the employees sent home,” she said. “Because some of the ventilation systems are shared in the government building, as a precaution the entire government building has been closed to the public coming inside.”

Governor Eric J. Holcomb and the Indiana State Department of Health have stated that essential employees may continue to work as long as they don’t exhibit symptoms and take all necessary PPE precautions around all other people.

“The Governor’s mask mandate states that all people over age 8 are required to wear a mask when in a public setting,” reminded Thomspon. “The only exception is if the person has a note from their physician stating that it is a safety hazard for that person to wear a mask. If that is the case, another barrier needs be worn such as a face shield. The county has added partitions as an extra precaution for public safety.”

Thomspon said county employees are allowed to be mask free when in their own office and socially distanced from everyone else.

It is up to the commissioners to mandate and enforce masks for all their employees as is the case for all employers to do with their employees.

“The health department always wears masks when dealing with the public unless in our own office and away from others,” said Thompson. “We are strictly abiding by Dr. Morgan’s guidance.”

According to Washington County Commissioner Rick Roberts, all county employees are supposed to be wearing masks. 

“We haven’t said one word if they have a choice,” he said by phone Thursday afternoon. “They have to do what everybody else does. Everyone in Indiana is required by Gov. Holcomb to wear a mask in public and social distance.”

The Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Salem Fire Department, and Indiana Conservation Officers responded to Cox Ferry Road at 3:34 p.m. this afternoon after a report of a vehicle in the water.

A person was reportedly on top of the vehicle needing help.

A bystander was able to get the person out of the water and no injuries were reported during the incident.

Indiana conservation officers were responding with a boat prior to the motorists being rescued by the bystander in a pickup truck.

Motorists are reminded to “Turn Around Don’t Drown.”

Do not drive through flooded roadways, especially during flash flooding. Vehicles can be swept away very easily in floodwaters.

Yesterday afternoon Washington County Commissioner Phillip Marshall told WSLM that the Washington County Clerk’s Office and the Washington County Government Center were closed until August 12 due to a county employee testing positive for Covid-19.

Marshall said the two buildings were on mandatory quarantine for 14 days. 

“We had another case pop up there…one of the employees, so we had to shut ’em back down,” said Marshall. 

He said the Public Defender, Board of Health, Probation, Child Protective Services, and the Prosecutor’s Office and the Clerk’s Office were closed. 

The public can call the offices to schedule an appointment for service. 

Marshall said the jail remains closed and the courts are open but only for the cases that are scheduled with the public not going in. 

“As of now we’re in an automatic quarantine until August 12,” said Marshall. 

However, this morning Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey clarified the closure. 

“My office is closed to the public under the order of the Washington County Commissioners and the Washington County Health Department as a precautionary measure,” she wrote in an email. 

“For clarification, [neither] myself nor any of my staff are on a 14-day quarantine, as previously stated on social media.  We are like before, closed to the public, but will all be on hand to answer phone calls and conduct business by appointment.”

She said the phones at the clerk’s office have been ringing non-stop. 

County offices were closed in the early part of the pandemic but were reopened to the public as long as those entering the offices practiced social distancing and wore masks.

On Monday, July 27, Gov. Eric Holcomb’s emergency order went into effect across the state that required Hoosiers to wear masks in all public places.

“We are still accepting payments by mail,” said Rockey. “Marriage licenses and candidate filings for school board will be conducted by appointment.”

“The safety of everyone is our top priority and we will continue to exercise health practices as recommended by the Washington County Health Department,” Rockey said.

She encouraged the public to call the office with any questions or contact our Washington County Health Department with any questions or clarifications. 

The Clerk’s office number is (812) 883-5748. The Health Department number is (812) 883-5603.

Chief Judge Jane E. Magnus-Stinson today issued a General Order that suspends jury trials in all divisions of the Southern District of Indiana through and including at least August 31, 2020; subject to further order of the Court, some jury trials may resume on September 1, 2020. To the extent this Order differs from previous orders of the Court on this subject, this Order supersedes and replaces those Orders.

Please read the General Order for specific details. The Court’s decision to once again suspend jury trials stems from the recent rise in COVID-19 cases across the state and within the Southern District of Indiana.

While jury trials have been suspended, the courthouses remain open and other in-person proceedings, including plea and sentencing hearings, are taking place. Certain limitations and restrictions established in previous General Orders remain in effect, such as the mandatory wearing of face coverings in all public spaces (except for individuals with medical exemptions, or those excused from wearing a face-covering in a courtroom by the presiding judge). 

The screening and other requirements set forth in the General Order issued on March 20, 2020, also remain in effect, with the understanding that the screening questions may change based upon guidance by public health officials and as knowledge about the symptoms of COVID-19 develops.

The Court also continues to hold certain proceedings, such as initial appearances and detention hearings, as well as civil conferences, via video conference and telephonically.

The District  Court has created a COVID-19 response page on its website that contains all orders, press releases, and other information regarding Court operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Indiana State Police are investigating the death of a 31-year-old New Albany man in Lexington, IN.

At approximately 8:30 am, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office responded to a deceased male in the Lexington area of southern Scott County.

Deputies secured the scene and requested assistance from the ISP.

The initial investigation revealed a male identified as, Nicholas D. Casey, 31, of New Albany, IN was found deceased in a relative’s residence at located 5225 Kinderhook Road. 

The scene was secured by deputies while Indiana State Police Evidence Technicians along with Indiana State Police Detectives and Scott County Deputies investigated the circumstances.

An autopsy is scheduled for Friday morning to try and determine a cause of death.

No further information is available at this time.

The Scott Coroner’s Office also assisted at the scene. 

Floyd County’s Health Officer mirrors Indiana’s mask mandate for the county, putting it in place before Monday’s statewide order and staying in place until Sept. 11

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to plague our community.

“In the last four (4) weeks we have seen an increase in cases, despite the current mitigating measures,” said Thomas M. Harris MD, FACEP, Floyd County Health Officer.

The State of Indiana has slowed the reopening stages; however, the daily rate of new illnesses continues to rise.

“There is currently no vaccine to prevent the illness. Measures such as hand hygiene, facial coverings, and social distancing are the most effective strategies to reduce the spread from infected persons to noninfected persons. Therefore, to protect public health and simply save lives, restrictions must be established to assist in the reduction of COVID-19 transmission,” said Dr. Harrris. 

With this understanding, and with the approval of the Floyd County Board of Health, as the Floyd County Health Officer, Harris hereby orders a facial covering mandate, pursuant to
Indiana Code 16-20-1 et seq. and 16-41-9 et seq.

This order took effect 00:01 (12:01 AM) EDT 24 July 2020. The order will remain in effect for six (6) weeks, expiring 00:01 (12:01 AM) EDT 11 September 2020.

The order may be extended depending on pandemic conditions.

Every individual must wear a facial covering over their nose and mouth when they are at:
 An indoor area open to the public including public transportation
 A private indoor or outdoor area where a social distance of six (6) feet from individuals
outside their households cannot be maintained
 An outdoor public area where a social distance of six (6) feet from individuals outside
their household cannot be maintained
 An enclosed public space or place of business.
A properly worn facial covering fully covers the individual’s mouth and nose fits snuggly against the sides of the face with no gaps, is secured to prevent slipping, and allows for breathing
with no restrictions. All face coverings that are not disposable should be washed each day before reuse. An adult should supervise the use of facial coverings by children age three (3)-twelve (12) to avoid misuse.
Exceptions to the policy include, but are not limited to:
 Any child age two (2) or less
 Any individual in respiratory distress
 Any individual who is hearing impaired and needs to remove facial coverings to communicate
 Any individual who has been advised, in writing, by a primary care provider that wearing a facial covering is detrimental to the individual’s health
 Any individual who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the facial covering without assistance
 Any individual who is directed to remove a facial covering by a law enforcement officer

 Any employee engaged in work where a face covering would be deemed a hazard by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
 Any restaurant or bar customer while they are dining
 Any individual not in an area open to the public and where a social distance of six (6) feet can be maintained from non-household members [Ex. A single person private office]

The intent of this order is to provide a safe environment for all people in Floyd County, whether engaged in work, social, or everyday activities, by mandating the use of facial coverings to
prevent the spread of COVID-19.

This will protect public health in Floyd County.

“Nothing in this order reduces or eliminates the requirements imposed by the executive orders by Governor Holcomb or orders from other regulating governmental agencies. This order is intended to be used to educate, encourage, and persuade people to wear facial coverings,” according to Dr. Harris. 

Citizens should continue to use frequent hand washing or sanitizing; maintain a minimum social distance of six (6) feet; avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands; and most importantly, stay home and isolate yourself if you are sick.