The CDC COVID Data Tracker reports that nationally, COVID test positivity was 6.6 percent the week ending Jan. 11, down from 7.0 percent the previous week. Emergency room visits for COVID-diagnosed patients were 1.3 percent, the same as the week before. The percent of all deaths in the U.S. due to COVID was 1.8 percent, up from 1.4 percent the previous week.

To obtain a COVID vaccination or booster shots, or COVID test kits, consult with your healthcare provider or pharmacy. Or visit the Indiana Department of Health website page on Where to Find a COVID-19 Vaccine.

 

CDC report on level of (all) respiratory illness activity

 
Data last updated on Jan. 15, and presented through Jan. 11. 
View this dataset on data.cdc.gov.

What to know (as of Jan. 17)

  • The amount of acute respiratory illness causing people to seek healthcare remains high.
  • Nationally, emergency department visits are high for diagnosed influenza and RSV. Emergency department visits for COVID-19 are elevated compared to the fall.
  • Nationally, influenza test positivity increased to 18.8%. COVID-19 test positivity remained stable at 6.6% and RSV test positivity decreased to 8.9%.
  • Nationally, wastewater viral activity levels for COVID-19 and influenza A are at high levels. National RSV wastewater viral activity levels are moderate.
  • COVID predictions for the next two weeks suggest that emergency department visits will remain at a lower level compared to prior winter seasons. Influenza predictions suggest that emergency department visits will remain at a high to very high level for the next two weeks.
  • Current indicators may be impacted by data reporting delays or changes in healthcare seeking behaviors during the holidays. Overall respiratory illness activity is expected to remain elevated for several more weeks.

There is still time to benefit from getting your recommended immunizations to reduce your risk of illness this season, especially severe illness and hospitalization.

CDC expects the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine to work well for currently circulating variants. There are many effective tools to prevent spreading COVID-19 or becoming seriously ill.

What to know: Indiana and Pulaski County area*

  • As reported Jan. 15, the amount of acute respiratory illness in Indiana causing people to seek healthcare is at moderate (data collected through Jan. 11).  The trend of new respiratory infections is growing in the Pulaski County area, particularly influenza which has jumped to 6% of emergency department visits.
  • According to the CDC, emergency department visits in the Pulaski County area are up for COVID (2.9%), down for RSV (0.7%), and up for influenza (6.4%).

*(The counties included in the area reported include Fulton, Marshall, Pulaski and St. Joseph)

 

Protect yourself and your community

Looking for guidance?‎

There are simple measures you can take to protect yourself and those around you.
Updated CDC Guidance

 

Recommended immunizations protect people and save lives

Last year (2023-24), CDC estimates:

Flu vaccination prevented:

  • At least 7 million influenza illnesses
  • 3.7 million influenza-associated medical visits
  • 105,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations
  • 3,500 influenza-associated deaths in the United States

COVID-19 vaccines:

  • Reduced the risk of severe COVID-19 by about half.

RSV immunizations:

  
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Local News Briefs

Yakym district staff to hold mobile office hours locally in February

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) has announced that his staff will hold mobile office hours in Pulaski County Feb. 5, in Winamac.

Yakym’s mobile office will visit throughout Indiana's Second District in February to assist constituents with casework questions.

Chamber seeks nominations for 2025 Halleck Award

The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the 2025 Halleck Community Service Award.

The award will be presented at the HJ Halleck Award recognition banquet (date to be announced). Nominations will be accepted through Friday, Feb. 7.

SWCD annual meeting Feb. 12 to discuss ‘carbon markets’

The Pulaski County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) will hold its public annual meeting at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 12, at Celebration Station in Winamac.

Key speaker will be Jean Brokish of American Farmland Trust whose topic will be “Making Sense of Carbon Markets and Climate – Smart Incentives.”

PCPL announces January programs

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for January. Events include Kids’ Winter Bingo, a Polar Bear story time, a Dragonfly Diamond Art Plant Stick craft, and a Winter Foods from the Wild children’s program.

For more information on any program, call the library at 574-946-3432 or visit the library’s website at www.pulaskicounty.lib.in.us.

PCT invites photographers to capture the spirit of Pulaski County in a photography contest

Participate and Share Your Perspective on Pulaski County

Pulaski County Tribe (PCT) has announced the launch of the "Embrace the Pace Pulaski County" photography contest, inviting photographers of all ages and skill levels to showcase life in Pulaski County through the lens of their cameras.

“With cash prizes and the opportunity to have your work displayed county-wide, this contest is an exciting way to celebrate the beauty and community of Pulaski County,” said Brandi Larkin, PCT president.

  

Indiana News

Braun: Indiana should be national model for bold, innovative leadership

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Gov. Mike Braun delivered his first “State of the State” address at the Statehouse Wednesday evening, outlining his plans to tackle “runaway” property taxes, create “farm savings accounts” to stabilize income for farmers in bad crop years, and to streamline state government.

The governor also addressed strengthening the state police force, checking undocumented immigration, restructuring the state’s economic development commission, reigning in health care costs, facilitating universal school choice – and more.

Pulaski County December unemployment rate down to 2.1%

Pulaski County's unemployment rate dropped to 2.1 percent in December, down from 3.9 percent in November, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Monday, (Jan. 25). The rate was 2.7 percent a year ago.

The state's December unemployment rate was 4.5 percent (seasonally adjusted), up from 4.4 percent in November. The November 2023 rate was 3.6 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in December (seasonally adjusted), nearly the same as November (4.2 percent). A year ago, the national rate was 3.7 percent.

2025 Indiana General Assembly: Bill Watch

Members of the Indiana General Assembly are working through proposed legislation on such topics such as education, health care, housing, property tax reform, responsible management of water resources, and much more.

The 2025 legislative session runs January through April 29. This is a “long session” during which legislators will craft a two-year state budget. The bills under discussion, in both the House and Senate, may be viewed here: IGA | Bills for 2025 Session. 

 

Indiana COVID-19 News

CDC reports amount of acute respiratory illness causing people to seek healthcare remains high

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Department of Health reported Jan. 22 that COVID-like illness emergency department visits numbered 331 statewide from Jan. 12-18, down 127 from its previous weekly report.

There were no state COVID-19 hospital admissions during that time period, unchanged from the week before. The state reported two COVID deaths in the seven-day period (reflects confirmed COVID deaths reported to IDH).

  

Post News

CFoPC welcomes two board members to new terms

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County, Inc. (CFoPC) has announced new terms for two members to its 2025 board of directors - one returning and one new to the organization.

They are Shane Pilarski of Francesville and Christi Beavers of Winamac.

Pardoned J6 Hobart man fatally shot by Jasper police deputy

Updated

JASPER COUNTY – A Hobart man, pardoned last week for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot, was shot and killed Sunday afternoon during a traffic stop by a Jasper County Sheriff’s deputy along SR 14 near the Jasper/Pulaski county line.

Matthew Huttle, 42, of Hobart, was pulled over by the deputy, according to a report from the Indiana State Police. The officer attempted to arrest Huttle, but the suspect allegedly resisted. An altercation took place, which resulted in the officer firing his weapon and fatally wounding the suspect.

Purdue to again offer Direct Course Credit to students with 4-H experience

Purdue Extension-Pulaski County has announced that Purdue University will again offer Direct Course Credit this year to students who have 4-H experience.

4-H’ers who are thinking about attending Purdue, or who have already been accepted may wish to check the opportunity to receive credit for first-year courses.

PACE grants available now

Pulaski Alliance for Community Education (PACE) is offering $60,000 in educational grants to eligible organizations this spring.

Organizations whose primary mission is public education may apply for grant funds. Participants in CAPE II/III are also encouraged to apply for a portion of funds available to sustain or continue original CAPE program activities.

EPCS Board begins new calendar year with two new members

WINAMAC – The Eastern Pulaski Community School Board was joined by two new members, Steve Rausch and Greg Kiser at its Jan. 13 meeting.

They were sworn-in, along with returning members Jimmy Terry and Taylor White, all of whom were elected to the board in November.