From cities to rural towns, people need to stay informed on where COVID-19 is spreading and to understand how it could affect families, commerce, and travel. It can be difficult and time consuming to follow new cases found each day and the total number of cases and deaths in Lake County, Porter and LaPorte Counties in the state of Indiana. Here’s a brief run down of each of the Northwest Indiana Region’s 3 Counties. Not a single county in Indiana is Code Blue and only One county is Code Yellow.
The State of Indiana Code Map can be found at: https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/2393.htm.
PORTER COUNTY INDIANA:
CODE RED
Porter County has had a total positive cases of 13,297 with currently hospitalized 26 patients. Total recovered is 12,343 with 182 deaths, total positive cases are decreasing.
While Porter County may be reflected as Orange Level on the ISDH website, Porter County’s Public Health Officer has determined that additional COVID metrics warrant the need for additional restrictions to slow the spread of the virus.
Under Code Red all social gatherings and events shall be limited to 25 persons. All social gatherings and events over 25 persons will need approval from the Porter County Health Department, including, but not limited to, special or seasonal events, concerts or musical performances, movie screenings, fairs, festivals, weddings, wedding receptions, convocations and sporting events.
The Porter County Regional hospital systems have been extremely stressed over the past three weeks. Over one-third of patients admitted to hospitals are suffering from COVID. Over one-half of ventilators are in use treating COVID patients. There are frequent diversions to other hospitals for care of patients. These burdens are also contributing to staff shortages to provide care for patients.
LAKE COUNTY INDIANA:
CODE ORANGE
As of January 4th, 2021 Lake County has had a total number of cases of 41,916 with 641 deaths. Total New Cases is 226, down from 592 on November 16th. Lake County has been changed to Code Orange.
LAPORTE COUNTY INDIANA:
CODE RED:
As of January 4th, 2021 LaPorte County has had a total number of cases of 7,946 with 142 deaths. Although the total of new cases is currently at 0 their total positive cases are still steadily increasing. (Hence the Code Red).
As of December 29, 2020, LaPorte County Status shifted from Orange to Red.
CODE RED DESCRIPTION:
– Attendance at winter indoor K-12 extracurricular and co-curricular activities, including IHSAA sports, is limited to participants, support personnel and parents/guardians.
– Bars, Taverns, Nightclubs, and Restaurants. Local officials should consider limiting hours of operations.
– Businesses: All Common Areas are Closed.
– Restaurants: Encouraged to promote online ordering with curbside pick-up.
– Sports: Attendance is limited to participants, support personnel and parents/guardians/siblings.All non participants required to wear face coverings.
– Recreational Sports, (same as above)
– Senior Care Centers: Closed and Cancelled.
– Hospitals, long-term care facilities and other congregate settings may impose visitation limits.
– Masks Required.
It is recommended that social gatherings (indoors or Outdoors) be cancelled or postponed relative to the County’s Code. If a social gathering cannot be cancelled, the host must ensure social distancing requirements, face coverings, and other sanitation measures are implemented at the site. For any social gathering over the total number for that County, a safety plan must be submitted to the Local Health Department and receive APPROVAL from them BEFORE proceeding.
CODE ORANGE DESCRIPTION:
– Social events are limited to 50 persons. (If the county shifts to a Red designation, then the applicable limitation of 25 persons will apply.)
– Special events of more than 50 people will need approval from the LaPorte County Health Department.
– Retail establishments limited to 2 persons per 1,000 square foot of retail space with all carts sanitized and shall not exceed two hundred fifty (250) persons in any retail establishment at any time. Retail establishments with 2,000 square feet or less may allow up to five (5) customers at one time.
– Attendance at winter indoor K-12 extracurricular and cocurricular events is limited to 25% capacity.
– Sports leagues and tournaments may continue with attendance limited to participants, required personnel and parents/guardians.
– Masks Required.
Partial Source: https://usafacts.org/visualizations/coronavirus-covid-19-spread-map/state/indiana/county/lake-county
COVID-19 RELATED STORIES:
How To Combat Loneliness During Pandemic
NEW Vaccine Locations Added
Updated Test Sites (As of January 2021)
East Chicago to Offer Vaccinations in January
Ways to Give Back to Your Community During Covid-19
Ways to Treat Cabin Fever During Pandemic
How to Care for an Aging Parent During COVID-19
More NwIndiana Test Sites Announced
Valparaiso, Porter County, State of Indiana Require Masks
East Chicago Walgreens has FREE Testing for Anyone
• Indiana To Offer 50 Free Test Sites
• Locally Made Portable Sinks Help Fight Coronavirus
• Places To Drop Off Masks & PPE Donations – One in EVERY CITY!
• Working from Home Tips During Covid-19
• Visit These Virtual Museums!
• Local Restaurants Offering Delivery and Pick UP!
• Senior Shopping Hours & Discounts Due to Coronavirus
• Can’t find it at the Store? Here’s Many Home Remedies for Cleaning, Personal Hygiene & MORE!
Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
