Health Administrator Shari Lewis of the Greene County Health Department has shared a number of COVID-19 related updates including information on the Governor’s order to move the state into Stage 5 of Indiana’s Back On Track plan; resources for schools and youth; flu vaccine information; and some new guidance from the CDC.

COVID-19 Executive Orders

Governor Holcomb has issued the 7th renewal of the public health emergency declaration for the COVID-19 outbreak and is moving Indiana to Stage 5 with Executive Order 20-43; see updated details and guidance at BackOnTrack.in.gov. Under Stage 5, effective September 26th through October 17th:
Face coverings remain required for all Hoosiers as well as social distancing; frequent handwashing/hand sanitizing; and, not going to work, school or public places if you feel sick.
Size limitations for social gathering and meetings are removed; however, organizers of events with more than 500 people in attendance will be required to submit a written plan to the health department that outlines measures to mitigate COVID-19.
Restaurants and bars that serve food may open at full capacity as long as six feet of space to maintain social distancing is in place. Six feet must be maintained between tables and customers must be seated at a table or counter.
Indoor and outdoor venues may open at full capacity with social distancing measures in place. Senior centers and congregate meal sites may open with precautions. Personal services and gyms and fitness centers may resume normal operations with social distancing safeguards and cleaning protocols in place.
Hoosiers 65 and older and individuals with known high-risk medical conditions should limit gathering with those outside of their household or regular “Social Bubble.”

COVID-19 School Updates

School Health Gateway portal is up and running; schools should be using this portal to report COVID-19 cases and close contacts. By now, schools who have identified two representative for entering data, should have already received they usernames and passwords. If you a designated gateway representatives that have not received a username and password, please email backtoschool@isdh.in.gov.
A new guidance quick reference tool is available based on three key indicators—close contact, symptoms and test status: COVID-19 School Attendance Quick Reference
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that sports clearance for youth who have recovered from COVID-19 should include cardiac screening: https://www.aappublications.org/news/2020/09/18/covid19sportsguidance091820.
AAP updated interim guidance for youth sports: https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/clinical-guidance/covid-19-interim-guidance-return-to-sports/

Cold and Flu Season Recommendations

This year is more important than ever to make sure that you can protect yourself and others around you from the flu, and reduce the strain on health clinics, hospitals and labs responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some people who get vaccinated may still get sick. However, flu vaccination has been shown in some studies to reduce severity of illness in people who get vaccinated but still get sick.
Everyone 6 months of age and older should get an influenza (flu) vaccine that is appropriate for the recipient’s age and health status—children, working adults, older adults, people with chronic health conditions and pregnant women, especially. Visit the CDC’s Influenza webpage on Key Facts About Flu Vaccines.
The Greene County Health Department has flu vaccine available for school aged children; however, we are currently wait listing adult flu vaccinations. The health department anticipates resolution of this situation by October 1, 2020; additionally, the health department is working on providing access to flu vaccination for K12 staff, retail/factory food workers and EMS volunteers starting mid-October.

COVID_19 CDC Updates

The CDC has issued new guidance on holiday celebrations: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html. People with or exposed to COVID-19 should not attend in person holiday gatherings.
The CDC posted and then withdrew refined guidance on how COVID-19 is spread: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html. The Greene County Health Department wants to emphasize how important non-medical interventions such as wearing masks, physical distancing and handwashing are to reducing the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, as we enter fall and winter seasons, more people will congregate indoors; consider upgrading HVAC systems with filters designed to reduce airborne contaminants/viruses with other indoor mitigation strategies such as wearing mask indoors, using plexiglass separation, portable air cleaners, etc. No one non-medical intervention is enough to protect people from the virus that causes COVID-19; but, if you use as many of the best practices available per setting, we can reduce the spread. Visit https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/air-cleaners-hvac-filters-and-coronavirus-covid-19 for more information.