Nine new Covid-19 cases recorded in Dubois County

Thursday, the Indiana State Department of Health reported nine new Covid-19 cases in Dubois County.

This brings the total number of cases up to 5,960 since the pandemic began. 112 Dubois County residents have died due to Covid-19.

The county is currently in the yellow advisory level but has a metric score of 0.5 which is in the blue advisory level.

The metric score is the mean of two scores based on the number of cases per 100,000 residents and the percentage of positive tests among all tests.

According to the state’s system, if the county has cases equivalent to 10 to 99 cases per 100,000 people, that is one point, 100 to 199 cases is two points and more than 199 cases is three points. Then, if the county’s positive test percentage is 5 to 9.9 percent, that is one point, 10 to 14.9 percent is one point, and 15 percent or greater is three points.

Anything below the yellow levels on both of those factors is scored as zero points

Adding the two scores based on the county’s statistics and then dividing it by two gives the number dictating what advisory level the county is at; one point equals yellow, two points equals orange and three points equals red. We are currently at .5 which is blue. We have to stay at this level for two weeks before the advisory level changes. This week was the first week we were scored at blue.

Hoosiers age 50 and older, along with healthcare workers, long-term care residents and first responders who are regularly called to the scene of an emergency to render medical assistance, are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. To schedule, visit https://ourshot.in.gov or call 211 if you do not have access to a computer or require assistance.

A mass vaccination is planned for Saturday, March 13, 2021, at the Jasper Middle School. Information can be found here.

Vaccine is available by appointment only to those currently eligible as determined by the Indiana State Department of Health. Eligibility is ensured when you sign up for an appointment at www.ourshot.in.gov.

You can also schedule an appointment by calling 211 if you do not have internet access.

There is no cost for the vaccine to the individual, but insurance may be charged an administration fee. Individuals should bring a photo ID and an insurance card if they have one.

To avoid lines, do not come until your appointment time.

The COVID-19 testing site at the former Ruxer Golf Course building in Jasper is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed on Sunday and Monday. It closes for lunch daily from 1 to 2 p.m.

Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center also has a COVID-19 drive-thru testing site located at the corner of Third Avenue and Rumbach Street in Jasper. It is available by referral from your medical practitioner.