Starke County has elevated to a red code on the Indiana Department of Health’s County Metrics Map Wednesday showing very high positivity and community spread of COVID-19.
Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch told WKVI News that the state is basing the county’s status based on last week’s numbers. He noted that the positivity rate is somewhat lower this week.
Lynch stressed that the county will not be imposing any other guidelines than what is outlined in the governor’s Executive Order. Lynch said gatherings will be restricted to groups of no more than 25 people. Indoor restaurant dining will continue, but seating needs to follow social distancing guidelines and patrons and employees must wear masks.
Stricter guidelines could be imposed if the county stays in the red on the county metrics map.
Knox Community School Corporation officials announced Wednesday that home athletic and extracurricular events will be open to parents and siblings only. This will stay in effect until the classification changes.
Lynch encourages residents to be as safe as possible by wearing masks, maintain a social distance, wash hands frequently, get a COVID-19 test if symptomatic, and stay home if sick.
The Indiana Department of Health will be conducting free tests next week at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox. Testing will be available Tuesday, December 22 and Wednesday, December 23 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday, December 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday, December 26 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT.
