An exterior view of Columbus Regional Hospital in Columbus, Ind., pictured, Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Mike Wolanin | The Republic
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus Regional Health officials are asking people to consider masking again in high-risk settings as the hospital continues to see COVID-19 hospitalizations and community transmission remains high.
CRH has seen COVID-19 hospitalizations “hold steady” at about four to five people per day, while there continues to be “busy numbers” in its outpatient offices due to people seeking treatment for symptoms consistent with respiratory viruses, the hospital said.
In early August, CRH said that it had started seeing its first COVID-19 hospitalizations in weeks amid what hospital officials described as a “little spike” in cases of the virus in Columbus and the surrounding area.
“Spread continues to be high, so people should still be diligent,” said CRH spokeswoman Kelsey DeClue. “Crowded indoor spaces and air travel pose high-risk exposure settings, so folks should consider masking in those situations.”
The update from CRH comes as as people plan to celebrate Labor Day and COVID-19 hospitalizations in the United States continue to rise for the first time since the beginning of the year, though they remain near historic lows, according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There were 15,067 COVID-19 hospitalizations in the United States the week of Aug. 19, up from 12,679 the week before and 6,315 the week of June 24, according to the CDC. In Indiana, there were 195 hospitalizations the week of Aug. 19, up from 148 the previous week and 51 on July 1.
While deaths from the virus remain at historic lows, about 400 to 600 people have been dying from COVID-19 each week since June, CDC records show.
A total of 101 Hoosiers have died from COVID-19 since June 1, including 25 deaths this month, according to the most recent figures from the Indiana Department of Health.
The last Bartholomew County death from COVID-19 was on June 2, according to the Indiana Department of Health. The virus has killed a total of 268 Bartholomew County residents since it first swept across the world in spring 2020.
The last Jackson County death from COVID-19 was June 29, and the last Jennings County death was July 4, state records show.
CRH officials previously said they are urging people to be vigilant and consider getting tested for COVID-19 if they are experiencing upper respiratory systems that are consistent with colds, allergies and other illnesses.
