Bloomfield, Ind. - The following advisory is issued to Bloomfield and Solsberry area residents:

The Greene County Health Department has surveilled an increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the last two weeks specific to the Bloomfield and Solsberry areas (78 percent of the cases reported in the last two weeks). Due to the uptick in cases, residents of these communities are urged to proceed with diligence and are cautioned to adhere to the following recommendations.

• Seniors and individuals of any age with a serious chronic medical condition, who are at increased risk for severe disease should avoid nonessential travel.

• All should avoid contact with sick individuals and wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.

• All should avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, and wear a mask in public.

• If you are sick, stay at home. Work with family and friends to have food, hygiene and medical supplies delivered until you are well.

If everyone adheres to the recommendations listed above, we can effectively reduce the spread of the virus.

The Greene County Health Department will continue to issue area alerts and will notify the public when the spread has been successfully reduced in your local area.