<strong>Positivity rates are climbing. What does that mean?</strong>
The positivity rate rose to just shy of 6% this week from 4.3% last week. Both the positivity rate and cases increased this week, keeping Johnson County in "yellow," according to the state’s color-coded metrics.
Until Monday, when Gov. Eric Holcomb’s statewide capacity limits are rolled back, events may have up to 100 people in attendance. Come Tuesday, there will be no capacity limits unless initiated by an event organizer or local government.
Johnson County is not alone with its increasing positivity rate, as rates are going up statewide. The state’s positivity rate increased to 3.8% this week, up from 3.3% last week.
The increase in positivity rates may be due to an increase in COVID-19 variants, said Dr. Kristina Box, state health commissioner. There are now 136 cases of the United Kingdom variant in Indiana, up from 73 last week.
The Johnson County Health Department has not been informed of any variant cases locally, said Betsy Swearingen, health department director.
<strong>Hospitalizations are also increasing. How is Johnson Memorial Hospital doing?</strong>
Hospitalizations rose this week in Johnson County and around the state. There were four COVID-19 patients on Monday at Johnson Memorial Hospital, said Dr. David Dunkle, hospital president and CEO.
The statewide increase in hospitalizations is also being attributed to the variant, which appears to increase the chance of severe illness in some patients, Box said.
To prevent further deaths while awaiting vaccinations, Box encouraged all Hoosiers to continue following all recommended precautions, including wearing a mask in public.
Though wearing a mask will no longer be required next week, state officials advise Hoosiers to continue wearing one to reduce the spread of the virus.
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Here is a look at the latest numbers available, between March 25 and Wednesday:
<strong>Johnson County</strong>
Cases: 154
Newly reported deaths: 0
7-day positivity rate: 5.9%
<strong>Indiana</strong>
Cases: 5,611
Newly reported deaths: 22
7-day positivity rate: 3.8%
Source: Indiana State Department of Health
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