Full Notification

DELAWARE COUNTY, IN-

In an effort to coordinate a message to the community The Delaware County Health Department, Emergency Management, Coroner’s Office along with IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital can now report the following information.

The Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) reported late Friday that an individual within Delaware County has tested positive through lab testing for SAR-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 infection. A second test was confirmed on Saturday march 21st and that individual has passed away while being treated at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. The patient was identified as an elderly female, admitted to the hospital from home and was being treated at IU Ball Memorial Hospital. Delaware County Coroner, Richard Howell, is withholding further information pending family notifications.

Jeff Bird, MD, president, IU Health East Central Region and Pete Voss, MD, chief medical officer, expresses great pride in the response by all teams involved.

“Although this is not the outcome we hoped for, I am grateful for the compassion and excellence our providers, nurses and team members showed in providing a safe and high-quality environment for this patient and their family. As we move forward in this time of uncertainty together, it is more important than ever that we continue our commitments to each other and to those we serve.,” said Bird. “We acknowledge the concerns which now exist in our community and are committed to respond to the challenges of this unprecedented time.”

The DCHD is working closely with the local and state officials to ensure that contacts of the patient are identified and that all infection control protocols are being followed.

Human coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through:

•Respiratory droplets released into the air by coughing and sneezing;
•Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands;
•Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands; and
•Rarely, fecal contamination.

Instructions:

The best way to protect yourself from any respiratory illness, including the flu, is to:

•Wash your hands often w/ soap & water for at least 20 seconds. If soap & water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
•Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
•Avoid close contact (within 6 feet) with people who are sick.
•Stay home when you are sick.
•Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
•Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) provides statewide updates as new information becomes available. Visit the ISDH website at in.gov/coronavirus for the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Indiana.

For updated local information: The Delaware County Emergency Management Agency, in collaboration with the Delaware County GIS Department, have created and are maintaining a central location for local updates. Please visit the Delaware County, Indiana Coronavirus Hub at www.dcema.com or the IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital site https://iuhealth.org/