Marshall County Health Administrator Ashley Garcia took time Monday morning to explain to the commissioners about some of the data collecting and other information they’re working on during this health pandemic.
Garcia noted that the Indiana State Department of Health has required an additional reporting requirement that might be confusing and may scare the public when the statistics are revealed. The information will now include clinical presumptive COVID-19 positive cases through the state-wide surveillance system in addition to the laboratory confirmed cases.
“Patients who have a negative lab result or no test for COVID-19, but the healthcare provider believes that their illness is a result of the virus, those numbers are now going to be included as well,” explained Garcia.
The numbers will go up dramatically, according to Garcia.
She said, “You could have it and not show signs and not test positive, but you’re spreading it.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, Garcia said there were 23 positive COVID-19 cases in Marshall County.
For the most part, Garcia asks that everyone remain at home during the governor’s order.
“I’m still seeing a lot of people out there that aren’t wearing their masks and people really aren’t understanding that one in four people have the virus. They’re carriers. They’re spreading it and they don’t know it. Beyond that, you could test positive up to 48 hours before your positive test. You’re spreading the virus and you didn’t know it.
“Basically, everybody needs to continue to treat every person that they come across as if they have this virus because if we don’t start doing that it’s just going to keep getting worse.”
Garcia added that they’re starting a campaign for homemade masks. For more information on how you can donate homemade masks for county employees, call 574-935-8565.
