The Indiana State Department of Health changed Monroe County’s COVID-19 Advisory Level from blue to yellow for this week, indicating increased cases per 100,000 residents and a higher positivity rate.
Monroe County has 128 new cases of COVID-19 for every 100,000 residents and a positivity rate of 0.85%, according to the ISDH website. Monroe County COVID-19 cases have been increasing since March 14, when only one new case was reported. This past week there has been an average number of 27 new daily cases, according to the website.
The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Monroe County for March 30 was 29, the highest number of hospitalizations since February 26, according to the website.
Indiana has four advisory levels that differ in severity based on color, with blue being the lowest and red being the highest, according to guidelines set by the state. A county’s advisory level is determined by changes in weekly positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents and positivity test rates, according to the website.
A blue advisory is for counties with minimal spread of the coronavirus and sets no state recommendations for restrictions. Counties with a yellow advisory show moderate spread of the virus and are advised to conduct targeted testing and quarantine of disease epicenters. These counties are recommended to restrict gathering sizes both in public and in private.
A county can move to a lower advisory level if it meets the requirements for a lower advisory for two consecutive weeks, according to state guidelines.
