COLUMBUS, Ind. – The COVID-19 Community Task Force met on Wednesday to discuss several issues of concern with regard to COVID-19 and its spread in the community.
Recent data shows the spread of the virus, including the Delta variant, has increased significantly locally. Because positive cases are climbing, the CDC has now designated Bartholomew County as a significant spread area.
“The increase in cases over a relatively short period of time is very concerning,” said Dr. Tom Sonderman, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Columbus Regional Health. “It shows what we already knew about this new variant of COVID-19, that it is very easily spread among unvaccinated persons and vaccinated people can transmit the disease.”
Dr. Sonderman is also unsettled about unvaccinated residents still contracting the virus. He says their likelihood of serious illness and hospitalization is much higher than someone fully vaccinated.
CDC and Indiana State Department of Health data confirms the Delta variant has continued to rise in Indiana. The local COVID-19 Community Task Force attests it is the overwhelmingly predominant strain within the community. Because of this, the Task Force is strongly recommending face-coverings in all indoor spaces, regardless of whether or not individuals are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
All members of the public are now being strongly encouraged to practice social distancing, mask-wearing, and hand-washing whenever possible. The Task Force also decidedly recommends that all eligible members of the community get vaccinated against COVID-19.
