JCHD Updates Residents On COVID-19 Case Counts

If you have been tested for COVID-19 you should self-quarantine until you receive your results.

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(Madison, Ind.) - Jefferson County’s current COVID positive case count stands at 116 at the time of this press release. The Indiana State Department of Health dashboard www.coronavirus.in.gov updates daily at noon. Cases that are received early in the day or late the previous day are not always captured on the dashboard. We have had 31 positive cases reported since last Friday, July 10th afternoon, making this past week our biggest increase in cases for a 7-day period.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind all Jefferson County residents it is very highly recommended to wear a mask when out in public, indoors and outdoors where social distancing is not possible at all times, and to wear the mask correctly. Mask should fit snuggly under your chin and above your nose. Wearing masks, social distancing and washing/sanitizing hands are our 3 main defenses against COVID-19.

Indiana will remain at stage 4.5 of The Back on Track Indiana Plan.

Restaurants are still required to comply with paragraph 10 of Executive Order 20-32 on page 6. The highlights of that paragraph include the following:

• Employees must wear a face mask
• In-person or on-premises dining is limited to up to 75% of seating capacity in any segregated or separate dining area of the facility provided tables, booths, or other seating areas are spaced at least six feet apart or are separated by a physical barrier.
• Self-service food stations (buffets, salad bars, etc.) are not permitted, but self-service beverage stations are permitted, however, patrons may not use or fill their own cup, mug or glass, and refills are not permitted.
• All employees and staff shall be screened for COVID-19 symptoms before being allowed to work.
• Bar areas may open up to 50% of occupancy in any segregated or separate area of the facility provided social distancing can be achieved and maintained.
• Live music or live entertainment is permitted.

Bars, taverns, wineries, and breweries:

• Employees must wear face masks.
• Bars, taverns, wineries, and breweries are permitted to open up to 50% of occupancy in any segregated or separate area of the facility provided social distancing can be achieved and maintained.
• All employees and staff shall be screened for COVID-19 symptoms before being allowed to work.

Other retail food establishments (convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores):

• May offer self-service beverage stations, however, customers may not bring or use their own cup, mug or glass, and refills are not permitted.
• Any self-service food station offering food items not prepackaged, such as a salad bar, olive bar, bulk items, or hot dog roller/grill, must be accessed by a customer using a disposable tissue or other single-use serving item in these establishments. This does not apply to general produce sections or stands.

We also recommend customers wear masks while in restaurants, bars, taverns, wineries, and breweries, only removing while at your table. If you are up moving around the establishment to use the restroom or to enter and exit we recommend you wear your mask.

Personal services such as beauticians, barbers, and nail techs are also required to wear masks as well as customers during our current stage 4.5.

Gyms and Fitness Centers employees are required to wear masks. Class sizes and equipment must be spaced to accommodate social distancing. Equipment must be cleaned after each use.

New information from Executive Order 20-36:

• Special or Seasonal Events:
  • Special or seasonal events scheduled to occur on or after July 23, 2020, and where the total attendance is expected to exceed 250 individuals, must have an event plan approved by the local health department. This includes events held indoors and outdoors such as, but not limited to, weekly summer concerts, fairs, festivals, carnivals, parades, graduation ceremonies, fundraisers, sport or racing competitions, shows or other entertainment events.
  • More information from the Jefferson County Health Department regarding this change will be coming out next week.

If you have been tested for COVID-19 you should self-quarantine until you receive your results. You will be notified of results whether negative or positive. If you test positive you will be notified by either the Jefferson County Health Department or the Indiana State Department of Health or in some cases both. You will be given directions at that time as to how long you need to quarantine. You will also be asked who you have had direct contact (defined as less than 6 feet for at least 15 minutes) the last two weeks. So please be mindful of where you have been and who you have had contact with at all times.

If you have any further questions please feel free to contact the Jefferson County Health Department at (812) 273-1942

Mask up – social distance – hand wash/sanitize