As of March 25, no Spencer County residents have tested positive for COVID-19.
The Spencer County Health Department is asking for everyone’s assistance in protecting the community by following the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Indiana State Department of Health.
• COVID-19 has no vaccine and no specific treatment.
• COVID-19 is a new virus, everyone is susceptible to the disease.
Disruption of normal activities must take place to slow the transmission of COVID-19.
In accordance with the “Stay At Home” Executive Order signed by the Governor of Indiana on March 23, the Spencer County Emergency Management Agency and Spencer County Health Department, following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), recommend the residents of Spencer County follow the guidelines and recommendations listed below:
Individuals of Spencer County (while remaining calm and living a healthy lifestyle) should:
• Stay home and limit contact with groups of people. No groups greater than 10 people. Avoid in-home visits unless necessary to provide care.
• Practice social distancing; stay six feet apart. COVID-19 remains airborne for up to three hours.
• Mass gatherings should be postponed. People may be infected with COVID-19 and show no symptoms.
• Avoid unnecessary travel, shopping and social visits.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds; if hand washing is unavailable, use hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol).
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue; then throw in trash after one use. Do not use reusable handkerchiefs.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Sanitize surfaces and objects frequently. COVID-19 lives on cardboard for 24 hours, and stainless steel and plastic 2-3 days.
• Avoid handshakes and “high-fives” to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.
• Persons age 60 and older with a serious health condition (heart or lung disease) or persons with immune problems are considered at higher risk. Check on your elderly neighbors and family without in-home visits.
• Many Spencer County restaurants are open for take-out.
• Foreign travel: Call Spencer County Health Department at 812-649-4441 if you have recently returned from a foreign country.
• COVID-19 Testing: Call Spencer County Health Department at 812-649-4441 if you have been tested for COVID-19 and are waiting for results.
If you are sick (whether you suspect COVID-19 or not):
• STAY HOME unless you require medical attention; not everyone will be tested for COVID-19. Respiratory viruses are contagious by respiratory droplets.
• If you must seek medical attention, CALL your physician or the Health Care Facility before you visit the office.
• Distance yourself away from your family in another room of your home.
• Be prepared to self-quarantine for 14 days as directed.
For the most up-to-date information, follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) websites, cdc.gov and Isdh.in.gov.
What parents should know about COVID-19
Developed by Indiana Emergency Medical Services for Children and Indiana State Department of Health
What should I say when explaining COVID-19 to my children?
• Remain calm and reassuring. Remember that children will react to both what you say and how you say it. They will pick up cues from the conversations you have with them and with others.
• Make time to talk. Be sure children know they can come to you when they have questions.
• Avoid language that might blame others and lead to stigma.
• Remember that viruses can make anyone sick, regardless of a person’s race or ethnicity. Avoid making assumptions about who might have COVID-19. Pay attention to what children see or hear on television, radio or online.
• Consider reducing the amount of screen time focused on COVID-19. Too much information on one topic can lead to anxiety. Provide information that is honest and accurate. Give children information that is truthful and appropriate for the age and developmental level of the child.
• Talk to children about how some stories on COVID-19 on the Internet and social media may be based on rumors and inaccurate information.
• Teach children everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs.
• Remind children to stay away from people who are coughing or sneezing or sick.
• Remind them to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow, then throw the tissue into the trash.
• Get children into a handwashing habit.
• Teach them to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
• If soap and water are not available, teach them to use hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer should contain at least 60% alcohol. Supervise young children when they use hand sanitizer to prevent swallowing alcohol.
