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Porter County Health Department Adds New Order With New Restrictions

December 4, 2020December 4, 2020 Goddard

While Porter County is 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.

The metrics used by ISDH to determine the color code of the county only includes the number of new weekly cases per 100,000 and the all-test positivity rate. These metrics have been skewed by the Thanksgiving holiday, where there was decreased availability for testing, decreased demand for testing and a backlog of tests at the labs around the state. 

“We will not be able to accurately use these two metrics to determine the true burden of COVID in Porter County for a couple of weeks, and maybe not even until the new year when holidays come to a close,” said Porter County Public Health Office Dr. Maria Stamp. “Accordingly, we are looking at additional metrics to determine what actions are needed, including the impacts on our hospitals and the number of deaths.”

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.

Fifty-one Porter County residents died of COVID in November, which is 43% of total deaths to date. In just the first three days of December, fifteen more deaths have been reported. 

“After considering all of these metrics, I have determined that additional actions must be taken to slow the spread of the virus,” added Dr. Stamp. “As authorized by Executive Order 20-48, I have issued an Order to implement those actions.”

The Following Health Order Restrictions Go Into Effect For Porter County At 12:00 AM on December 6, 2020 And Shall Remain In Full Force And Effect Until Subsequently Superseded Or Rescinded:

1. Continued adherence to all general requirements for individuals, businesses and gatherings/events as outlined in the Governor’s Executive Order 20-48. Those general requirements can be foundHERE.
2. Continued adherence to the RED LEVEL restrictions as outlined in the Governor’s Executive Order 20-18. The RED LEVEL restrictions can be found HERE.
3. Adherence to the following restrictions ordered by the County Public Health Officer as authorized in the Governor’s Executive Order 20-18. A downloadable PDF version of the Order is available HERE.

• Unless modified by the more restrictive provisions of this Health Officer Order as authorized in paragraph 12 of Governor Holcomb’s Executive Order 20-48, the provisions of that Executive Order shall be controlling in Porter County.
• 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. Event safety plans must be submitted to the health department at least 7 days in advance of the event.
• Governor Holcomb’s mask mandate shall remain in full force and effect for both employees and patrons of any establishment required to wear a mask that fully covers both the nose and mouth. Businesses are expected to enforce mask use by patrons by posting appropriate signage and designating staff to ensure masks are worn prior to entrance. Those unable to wear a mask are strongly recommend to wear a face shield or utilize curbside pickup and delivery options.
• Indoor and outdoor capacity for bars, restaurants and entertainment venues shall be governed strictly by CDC social distancing guidelines. Tables must be arranged such that separate parties are seated at least 6 feet from other parties. Masks are required to be worn unless seated for purposes of eating and drinking. Food and drink consumption may not take place unless seated. Dance floors are to be closed. Musicians and singers must remain masked. Self-service buffets and salad bars are to be closed. Maximum party size at individual tables in restaurants, bars and clubs shall be no greater than six. Bars, dine-in restaurants, and clubs shall adhere to an 11:00 p.m-5:00 a.m. closure requirement.
• Retail establishments shall be limited to 50% of capacity. Shopping carts are required to be sanitized between uses and curbside pickup is preferred.
• Gyms and fitness studios, including locker rooms shall be subject to strict adherence to social distancing and masking requirements. Group fitness classes are limited to 50% capacity of the room not to exceed 25 persons unless the group is part of an official sports team. This includes but is not limited to gymnastics, basketball, volleyball, soccer, martial arts, fitness classes and workout rooms.
• Skating rinks must limit capacity to 25 persons at a time on the rink, with overall facility capacity limited to 50%. Places of entertainment such as bowling alleys, movie theaters, and arcades must adhere to a 50% capacity limitation and social distancing.
• Libraries, funeral homes and swimming pools must adhere to strict social districting requirements and require masking of patrons.
• Attendance at K-12 school related events and community sports leagues and tournaments is limited to participants, support personnel, and parents/guardians/siblings. Concessions are to remain closed.
• COVID-19 safety inspectors will be utilized for enforcement and compliance with this Health Officer Order and the provisions of Governor Holcomb’s Executive Order 20-48. Employees, patrons and members of the general public are encouraged to contact the Porter County Health Department telephonically, through email and/or website with reports of noncompliance with this order. Provisions of this order will be implemented and enforced consistent with the enforcement provisions of Governor Holcomb’s Executive Order 20-48.