The CDC COVID Data Tracker reports that nationally, COVID test positivity was 4.9 percent the week ending Feb. 1, down from 5.3 percent the previous week. Emergency room visits for COVID-diagnosed patients were 0.9 percent, down from 1.0 percent the week before. The percent of all deaths in the U.S. due to COVID was 1.5 percent, the same as 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.

 

H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation

What to know (as of Feb. 5)

  • H5 bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows with several recent human cases in U.S. dairy and poultry workers.
  • While the current public health risk is low, CDC is watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people with animal exposures.
  • CDC is using its flu surveillance systems to monitor for H5 bird flu activity in people.

CDC report on level of (all) respiratory illness activity

 
Data last updated on Feb. 5, and presented through Feb. 1. 
View this dataset on data.cdc.gov.

What to know (as of Feb. 7)

  • The amount of acute respiratory illness causing people to seek healthcare is very high.
  • Nationally, emergency department visits are very high for diagnosed influenza and moderate for RSV. Emergency department visits for COVID-19 are low.
  • Nationally, influenza test positivity increased to 31.6%. COVID-19 test positivity decreased to 4.9% and RSV percent positivity decreased to 6.6%.
  • Nationally, wastewater viral activity levels for influenza A are at very high levels. National COVID-19 wastewater viral activity levels are high and 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 high and may increase in most states.

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 Feb. 4, the amount of acute respiratory illness in Indiana causing people to seek healthcare is at high levels (data collected through Feb. 1). The trend of new respiratory infections in the Pulaski County area is rising for influenza, accounting for over 12 percent emergency department visits.
  • According to the CDC, emergency department visits in the Pulaski County area are up for COVID (1.7%), down for RSV (0.6%), and up for influenza (12.3%).

*(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

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.”

PACE grants application deadline March 3

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.

PCPL announces February programs, activities

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for February. They include Valentine-themed crafts, winter reading challenges, a children’s program on foxes, snowflake trivia and adult canvas painting.

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.

Chamber seeks nominations for 2025 Halleck Community Service 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.

PCT invites photographers to capture spirit of county in photo contest

Participate, share perspective on 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

IDH reports state influenza cases at 'high' levels

Plus: bird flu update

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Department of Health reported Feb. 4 that COVID-like illness emergency department visits numbered 392 statewide from Jan. 22-28, up 58 from its previous weekly report. There were no state COVID-19 hospital admissions during that time period, and also no COVID deaths.

In addition, the IDH reported Feb. 3, that the state's influenza-like illness level is "high" for the week ending Jan. 25, with two flu-associated deaths during the reporting period (52 total for the current season).

  

Post News

Sheriff’s office posts annual review

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department responded to 6,435 calls for service in 2024, according to its annual report compiled in January.

Deputies logged 429 field arrests, and worked with the county coroner on 36 death investigations.  In 2024 there were 25 counts of resisting arrest, and five counts of battery on an officer. (A field arrest means that Pulaski County law enforcement established probable cause for a misdemeanor or felony offense.)

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.

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.