The Starke County Council members approved a pay range for a part-time nurse to assist Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch.
With the uptick in COVID-19 cases in Starke County, Lynch asked the council for a part-time nurse to help in his office and with contact tracing efforts.
“I need somebody helping me now,” said Lynch. “I had 127 cases last week and I didn’t get a hold of half of them because they’re coming in so quick. I’m trying to get a hold of parents of what I think may be school-aged kids. I’m trying to get a hold of older individuals…”
“Oh, you have to follow up on the tracing?” asked Starke County Council President Dave Pearman.
Lynch continued, “The State’s system has been not doing well in regards to making contact and letting people know what the isolation times are, what quarantine times are – that’s been from the get-go. Now they’re just completely overwhelmed.”
Lynch said he has gotten several inquiries about volunteering, but he told county officials that he would prefer a nurse for liability purposes.
A part-time nurse was already in the salary ordinance, but a pay range needed to be put in place in order to move forward.
The commissioners hired an employee on an emergency basis while Lynch took a few days off, but Lynch said he would like to have an additional person to assist him all the time in his office. The council members approved a pay range of $21.00 to $23.00 an hour for no more than 30 hours per week so Lynch can proceed with hiring a part-time nurse for the Health Department.
