Whereas:The week of 10/25/2020 – 10/31/2020 saw 91 positive COVID-19 cases in Decatur County.
Whereas:The week of 11/1/2020 – 11/7/2020 COVID-19 cases more than doubled the cases to 185.
Whereas: Positive cases in the age group 0-29 make up 32.9% of all cases.
Whereas: Schools and bars are the primary congregation of these groups.
Therefore: With input from the Decatur County School Corporation and the Greensburg School Corporation and community leaders, Decatur County Board of Health took action to address both the extremely high volume of students and staff who were absent due to COVID-19 and the subsequent contact tracing.
Therefore: The Decatur County Board of Health ordered Bars, taverns, and restaurants to close at 11:00PM
Therefore: With input from the Decatur County School Corporation and the Greensburg School Corporation, on 11/09/2020, the Decatur County Board of Health ordered the closure of schools through 11/29/2020 with in person school resuming on 11/30/2020
The goal was to give the schools a two-week window to reset the rate of infection.
Whereas:Decatur County saw a record high number of 235 cases the week 11/8/2020 11/14/2020.
Whereas:Contact tracing indicated this increase to have occurred among smaller group gatherings
Therefore: With input from the Decatur County School Corporation and the Greensburg School Corporation, the Decatur County Board of Health ordered the suspension of all extra-curricular activities as they are by definition, small group gatherings
Therefore: The Decatur County Board of Health began a public education campaign also that urged residents to take the proper precautions to stop the spread of COVID.
Whereas:The results of these actions have shown a 31% decrease in cases in the week ending 11/21/2020 compared to the previous week.
Whereas: The school systems have demonstrated the ability to adhere to the mask mandates and social distance requirements and have excelled in contact tracing.
Therefore:With input from the Decatur County School Corporation and the Greensburg School Corporation, St. Marys School and Good Shepherd Academy, The Decatur County Board of Health will allow the current closure of schools and the suspension of all extra-curricular activities to terminate on 11/29/20 at 11:59 PM
Dr. Arthur Alunday MD
Decatur County Medical Officer