The Shelby County Department of Health announced Tuesday 30 individuals diagnosed, with tests pending, of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) reported at Morristown Manor. They have also had two deaths. One male and one female resident from Shelby County.

Shelby County has had 7 deaths from the coronavirus pandemic.

“We know that people older than 60 with underlying health conditions are most at risk during this pandemic,” Local Health Officer Dr. Loman said. “We ask that everyone join in our efforts to protect these vulnerable people by not visiting long-term care facilities, but rather using other options, such as offering residents access to mobile devices to continue virtual contact with loved ones through email or video-call applications.”

No further information about the patientswill be released due to privacy laws.

We are working closely with Major Health Partners, local, state and federal officials to continue with infection control protocols to prevent further spread within the facility and county.

Shelby County has used over 500 tests, with over 110 positive Covid-19 results in our county. 

Our local department has completed over 60 contact tracings during our Covid -19 case investigations.The Health Department continues to reach out to those individuals who have tested positive by phone or mail depending on demographic information available. If you have been tested or have tested positive please call the local health department and leave your name and best phone number and we will return your call. Your assistance helps prevent the spread and assists in our knowledge of this new infectious disease.

To prevent community spread, long-term care facilities should be following the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) guidelines:

• Identify a separate space that is used only for confirmed or presumed COVID-19 patients;
• Limit patient contact to only essential direct care providers;
• Establish a tracking system to monitor and manage infection control activities and residents and staff member who are symptomatic

For a complete list of the ISDH guidelines for long-term care facilities visit ISDH Covid-19 website.

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.

Visit the Indiana State Department of Health’sCOVID-19 website at https://coronavirus.IN.gov for more information, includingfrequently asked questions about COVID-19.