Allen County Health Commissioner Dr. Matthew Sutter is recommending masks for all school-age children regardless of vaccination status amid the rise of COVID-19 in the community.
There were 101 new cases reported in Allen County on Monday, bringing the total number of those infected with the virus to 47,034.
Seven hundred and 10 Allen County residents have died so far, according to Allen County Health Department statistics.
Health officials also urge the wearing of masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status, as the highly-contagious Delta variant continues to spread.
The area’s 7-day positivity rate stands at 11.6 percent, and 213 new cases reported on Monday.
The Delta variant makes up 97 percent of the new cases of COVID reported in the past month, according to the Indiana Department of Health.
In a press release issued Monday morning, Sutter urged caution to not overwhelm the area’s hospital systems, filling up with COVID patients.
Statewide there were 1,685 new cases reported Monday, and no new deaths.
After changes to Indiana’s laws during the last legislative session, local health officials cannot issue any health orders that go further than state mandates without the approval of city or county elected officials.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has indicated he will not reimpose any additional statewide COVID-19 restrictions at this time.
Northeast Indiana totals for Aug. 23:
- Adams County: 4 new cases for 3,922 total. No new deaths for 59 total. 7-day positivity rate at 7.9%. Eligible population fully vaccinated 36.1%.
- Allen County: 101 new cases for 47,034 total. No new deaths for 710 total. 7-day positivity rate at 13%. Eligible population fully vaccinated 53.1%.
- DeKalb County: 17 new cases for 4,939 total. No new deaths for 88 total. 7-day positivity rate at 11.3%. Eligible population fully vaccinated 41%.
- Huntington County: 23 new cases for 5,129 total. No new deaths for 85 total. 7-day positivity rate at 11.9%. Eligible population fully vaccinated 45.2%.
- Kosciusko County: 2 new cases for 10,184 total. No new deaths for 125 total. 7-day positivity rate at 6.9%.. Eligible population fully vaccinated 40.6%.
- LaGrange County: No new cases for 2,869 total. No new deaths for 73 total. 7-day positivity rate at 11.4%. Eligible population fully vaccinated 24.5%.
- Noble County: 19 new cases for 6,405 total. No new deaths for 93 total. 7-day positivity rate at 9.9%. Eligible population fully vaccinated 39.6.%.
- Steuben County: 5 new cases for 4,398 total. No new deaths for 63 total. 7-day positivity rate at 9.8%. Eligible population fully vaccinated 45.1%.
- Wabash County: 22 new cases for 4,074 total. No new deaths for 84 total. 7-day positivity rate at 9.3%. Eligible population fully vaccinated 39.9%.
- Wells County: 3 new cases for 3,280 total. No new deaths for 81 total. 7-day positivity rate at 10.1%. Eligible population fully vaccinated 41.9%.
- Whitley County: 17 new cases for 4,508 total. No new deaths for 46 total. 7-day positivity rate at 10.2%. Eligible population fully vaccinated 44.2%.
Sources include the Indiana Department of Health and local health department data.
