Johnson County is “orange” again. Can I relax now?
The short answer is no.
Local and state officials say Hoosiers should continue to mask up, stay six feet away from others outside their household and wash their hands frequently.
Though new COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations are down, Hoosiers should remain vigilant to avoid a resurgence, said Dr. Kristina Box, state health commissioner.
For the first time in a month, Johnson County is in “orange,” according to the state’s color-coded metrics, meaning gatherings can increase to 25% capacity, with an advisory attendance of less than 50 people.
With a 9.9% positivity rate on Sunday and 261 cases per 100,000 residents, Johnson County is one of 59 counties in “orange” this week. There are only four counties in “red,” and the remaining 29 are “yellow.”
Johnson County’s 7-day positivity rate on Wednesday was 9.1%, and the state’s 7-day positivity rate was 7.7%.
How is the hospital doing this week?
COVID-19 hospitalizations are down this week at Johnson Memorial Hospital, ranging between four and seven patients at a time, said Dr. David Dunkle, the hospital’s president and CEO.
“Steady” is the word that best describes the state of the hospital this week, he said.
Vaccines are flowing into the arms of Hoosiers 65 and older, and Dunkle believes the vaccine is already playing a role in the hospital’s decreasing number of COVID-19 patients, as well as being more than a month out from the holidays now.
How are vaccinations going?
The Johnson County Health Department next week will more than double its capacity to give vaccines. The health department this week is working with about 1,200 vaccines per week. But it will have 2,592 doses to administer per week going forward, said Betsy Swearingen, director of the county’s health department.
The state requested the increase in vaccines, but it is something the local infrastructure can handle, Swearingen said. The increased capacity would mean at least three vaccines per hour are given at each of the 16 vaccination rooms of the Old Emergency Wing at Johnson Memorial — about 48 per hour, she said.
Other vaccination sites throughout Johnson County have a combined capacity of more than 1,125. This does not include the Greenwood Walmart Pharmacy, because a spokesperson would not say how many vaccines it has.
Together, Johnson County vaccination clinics can give up to 3,717 vaccines per week.
So far, 15,179 Johnson County residents — about 9.5% — have been vaccinated, and 611,429 Hoosiers — about 9.8% — have been vaccinated statewide, according to the state’s vaccine dashboard.
That includes 56% of Hoosiers 80 and up, 62% of those 70 to 79, 46% of those 65 to 69, and 63% of health care workers and first responders, state data shows.
Hoosiers 65 and older, health care workers and first responders are eligible for the vaccine.
BY THE NUMBERS
Here is a look at the latest numbers available, between Jan. 28 and Wednesday:
Johnson County
Cases: 397
Newly reported deaths: 5
7-day positivity rate: 9.1%
Indiana
Cases: 14,258
Newly reported deaths: 196
7-day positivity rate: 7.7%
Source: Indiana State Department of Health
IF YOU GO
Here is a look at where you can get a vaccine in the county if you meet the criteria:
Johnson Memorial Hospital
When: Vaccines available 8 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturdays.
Where: Old emergency wing, 1125 W Jefferson St, Franklin. Parking in Blue Lot H.
Registration: Online at ourshot.in.gov. Call 211 or any Johnson County Public Library for help registering.
Adult and Child Health Franklin
When: Vaccines available noon to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Where: 1860 Northwood Plaza, Franklin
Registration: Online at ourshot.in.gov. Call 211 or any Johnson County Public Library for help registering.
Windrose Health Edinburgh
When: Vaccines available 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
Where: 911 E. Main Cross Street, Edinburgh
Registration: Online at ourshot.in.gov. Call 211 or any Johnson County Public Library for help registering.
Greenwood Walmart Pharmacy
Where: 1133 N Emerson Ave Rd, Greenwood
Registration: Online at ourshot.in.gov. Call 211 or any Johnson County Public Library for help registering.
Kroger Pharmacies in Johnson County
When: Daily 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Kroger stores at 5961 N State Road 135, Greenwood; 2200 Independence Dr., Greenwood; 970 N. Morton St., Franklin; 3100 Meridian Parke Dr., Greenwood.
Registration: Call your local pharmacy or go online to kroger.com/rx/guest/get-vaccinated.
