The Boone County Health Department, in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), has regretfully confirmed the first death from COVID-19 in an elderly Boone County resident. Out of respect of privacy laws and the patient’s family, no further personal information will be released about this patient.Boone County currently has 74 confirmed cases of COVID-19. While the majority of deaths in Indiana have occurred in individuals 60 years and older, anyone may be at risk of the virus. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Like influenza, COVID19 is most commonly spread from an infected person to others through:
• Respiratory droplets released into the air by coughing and sneezing;
• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands;
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands; and
• Rarely, fecal contamination.
• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands;
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands; and
• Rarely, fecal contamination.
The best way to protect yourself from any respiratory illness, including COVID-19, is to:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay least 6 feet away from other people when out in public.
• Consider wearing a mask or facial cover when out in public.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Limit trips to essential errands, like picking up groceries or prescriptions.
• Try to go shopping at non-peak times to avoid large crowds.
• Take advantage of special shopping hours for seniors and high-risk groups, delivery, mail-in, and curbside pickup services that businesses may offer.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay least 6 feet away from other people when out in public.
• Consider wearing a mask or facial cover when out in public.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Limit trips to essential errands, like picking up groceries or prescriptions.
• Try to go shopping at non-peak times to avoid large crowds.
• Take advantage of special shopping hours for seniors and high-risk groups, delivery, mail-in, and curbside pickup services that businesses may offer.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Please forward inquiries Claire Haughton, Public Information Officer with the Boone County Health Department, at chaughton@co.boone.in.us or (765) 481 3942, option 7. For further information about COVID-19, please visit the Boone County website at boonecounty.in.gov, the Indiana State Department of Health at in.gov/coronavirus, or the CDC at coronavirus.gov.