By LARRY LANNAN
“COVID-19 is still spreading within the community, at a much lower rate than what it was previously back in the large winter surge we saw in November, December, in the beginning of January.”
That’s the word from Fishers Health Department Epidemiologist Josh Robinson in his weekly COVID-19 video update. The Fishers Community Risk Level remains at a 3 on a scale of 4 and has remained steady in recent weeks.
According to Robinson, the latest numbers verify that COVID-19 continues to spread within the Fishers area.
The Hamilton County percent positivity rate is at 8.4 percent as of Tuesday morning. The Fishers percent positivity rate is 7.7 percent. The case incidents rate stands at 27.98. Robinson says these numbers have increased over the past few weeks.
Robinson asks local residents to continue taking precautions to slow the spread of the virus. That includes wearing a mask outside your own household, social distancing and washing your hands regularly.
“There have been a lot of projections coming out lately, showing a slight increase in cases across various localities in the U.S.,” Robinson said. “There (are) also other projections that these increases may continue for a few weeks and then eventually start to decline again in April.”
The Fishers Health Department plans to keep a close eye on local COVID numbers.
Fishers health officials say the availability of testing remains good, with testing appointments available within two days and results ready in two days or less. Contact tracing is also staying current.
Hospital availability in the counties surrounding Marion, including Hamilton, remains good.
If you need to schedule a COVID vaccination or a COVID test, call (317) 595-3211.
Click here to access Josh Robinson’s entire video update posted Tuesday night.
Many say they’ll no longer wear masks, but respect businesses’ rules
By DEMIE JOHNSON
WISH-TV | wishtv.com
If you walked down Main Street in Carmel, you would find businesses with signs asking customers to continue wearing masks.
But you would also find shops that have removed those signs.
Most of the people in the Carmel Arts & Design District told Hamilton County Reporter’s newsgathering partner, WISH-TV News 8, it’s because masks are no longer a requirement; they’re not planning to wear them at all anymore. However, they said, if a business asks them to put one on, they’ll respect those wishes.
Cathy Rowan said she had a pretty serious case of COVID-19 in November, which is why although she will no longer wear a mask most of the time, if someone asks her to put one on, she said she would be glad to do so.
“Oh, I would definitely put it on, and I would also honor people’s opinion if they would like me to wear it in their home,” Rowan said.
Ben Graves said he feels the same and will not wear masks anymore unless someone asks him to.
“I’m done, but I’d respect the business and wear a mask, no problem,” Graves said.
So far, no problems at Silver in the City, 111 W. Main St. Suite 150, Carmel. Manager Claire Shipley said most of the customers came in already wearing masks. Shipley said because Silver in the City also has a Marion County location, the business made the decision to keep the stores the same. “Just for the safety of our staff and customers, at least until everyone is able to get fully vaccinated, and we’ll reassess at the end of the month and see how we’re feeling,” she said.
The Fishers Health Department is also leaving the choice up to businesses. Masks are still required in all Hamilton County buildings.