Bartholomew County Health officials were notified Sunday evening about the confirmation of a COVID-19 positive case of a hospital inpatient at Columbus Regional Hospital.

As planned and prepared for, Columbus Regional Health and Bartholomew County Health Department continue following the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Indiana State Department of Health for the care of this patient and the protocols for healthcare staff and community contacts as identified.

Health officials are conducting the appropriate investigative protocols. This COVID-19 case appears to be a community-acquired spread, as the patient did not have travel history or clinical contact link.

The patient is in stable condition in an isolation room and all care staff are utilizing the proper personal protective equipment. 

Columbus Regional Health and Bartholomew County Health Department offered a media update at 11 a.m. via phone conference.

Community Response Initiatives

Jointly, Columbus Regional Health and Bartholomew County Health Department with City of Columbus and Bartholomew County officials recommend the following:

• In an effort to keep our community safe and follow the recommended response guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Indiana State Health Department the City of Columbus and Bartholomew County are recommending a more stringent proactive response to limiting potential spread and community exposure.
• Our community’s strongest defense is to promote the CDC-recommended action of social distancing. In an effort to stay on top of further preventive efforts, it is important for community members to avoid gathering, especially in moderate groups in public places.
• Current recommendations from the CDC are that for the next 8 weeks, organizers cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the U.S.
• Therefore based on these recommendations and proven preventive measures, the City of Columbus and Bartholomew County are strongly recommended that any organizations or businesses that host or organize group gatherings, consider cancelling or postponing any gatherings or moving those interactions to ways of connecting through phone or digital means.
• We are recommending the closing of any indoor public places and encouraging food establishments to convert to take-out, drive-thru or delivery options.

Again, it is imperative that we, as a community, take whatever measures possible to prevent further spread of COVID-19.

We realize these actions pose an inconvenience to many businesses and members of our community and difficult decisions such as this are taken with the utmost care and concern for our citizens and for our healthcare system as it continues to prioritize care and medical resources to best handle this situation.

Those with concerns about symptoms or possible COVID-19 exposure are still first advised to contact the COVID-19 Triage Resource Call Center at 812-379-4449. The trained nursing staff will work with callers to determine the best information and course of action available.

For more information and an overview of the latest COVID-19 related news in our area, please see Coronavirus Update: What You Need to Know.