The CDC COVID Data Tracker reports that nationally, COVID test positivity was 4.8 percent the week ending Feb. 8, the same as the previous week. Emergency room visits for COVID-diagnosed patients were 1.0 percent, also the same as the week before. The percent of all deaths in the U.S. due to COVID was 1.4 percent, again 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. 14)

  • 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. 12, and presented through Feb. 8. 
View this dataset on data.cdc.gov.

What to know (as of Feb. 14)

Activity Levels Update:

  • The amount of acute respiratory illness causing people to seek healthcare is 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 (31.6%), COVID-19 (4.8%) and RSV (6.8%) test positivity were similar to last week.
  • 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 low.
  • 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 but are expected to decline.

 

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. 11, the amount of acute respiratory illness in Indiana causing people to seek healthcare is at high levels (data collected through Feb. 8). The trend of new respiratory infections in the Pulaski County area is rising for influenza, accounting for over 14 percent emergency department visits.
  • According to the CDC, emergency department visits in the Pulaski County area are down for COVID (1.6%), up for RSV (0.9%), and up for influenza (14.1%).

*(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:

  
Pulaski Health Care Center
Pulaski Health Care Center - Parkview
FNB Monterery
Habitat
Ace Hardware
WKVI Side

Local News Briefs

Francesville ‘Family Fun in Park’ June 28

FRANCESVILLE – The Uptown Project, in partnership with West Central Youth League, will sponsor its “Family Fun in the Park,” from 6 p.m. to sunset, Saturday, June 28.

The public is welcome to join in for a fun evening of fellowship at the Francesville Town Park.

PCPL activities, programs listed for June

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for June. They include the Summer Reading Program, a youth improve camp, a children’s program on bubbles, and a stuffed animal sleepover.

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.

Circus comes to town June 17

WINAMAC - The Culpepper & Merriweather Circus is coming to Winamac Tuesday, June 17, at the Winamac Town Park for two shows, the first starting at 5:30 p.m., and the second beginning at 7 p.m. Each show lasts about an hour and a half.

The event is sponsored by the Winamac Kiwanis Club.

4-H Fair Parade June 30

The 2025 Pulaski County 4-H & Community Fair Parade, with the theme "Grow it, Show it, Play it at 4-H," will step off at 6 p.m., Monday, June 30, in downtown Winamac.

The parade is organized by the Winamac Kiwanis Club in partnership with the Pulaski County Fair Association. The parade grand marshal will be 2025 Halleck Award winners Don and Lynn Darda. 

U.S. 421 to be resurfaced south of Medaryville

PULASKI COUNTY - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor E&B Paving LLC will begin a resurfacing project for U.S. 421 between the two junctions of SR 14 on or after Tuesday, May 27.

During resurfacing activities, the road will be reduced to one lane with flaggers directing traffic in the area where work is occurring. This project will be ongoing through early August.

  

Indiana News

Yakym surprises 'Hoosier Heroes' with Congressional records

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 27) –Congressman Rudy Yakym honored two local first responders Tuesday recognizing their “exceptional service and commitment to their communities.”

Pulaski County Deputy Christopher Parish and Culver Community Police Chief Ryleigh Carr received entries into the Congressional Record.

Young, colleagues address shortage of mental health providers in schools

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 27) – U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) reintroduced the Mental Health Excellence in Schools Act to address the shortage of mental health providers in schools by boosting the pipeline of graduate students trained to become school psychologists, counselors, and social workers.

“Access to mental health resources improves the safety, well-being, and academic success of Hoosier students,” said Sen. Young. “Our bill will both support the school-based mental health workforce and address the critical need for these professionals.”

Pulaski County unemployment rate drops to 2.4% in April

Pulaski County's unemployment rate dropped to 2.4 percent in April, down from 3.1 percent in March, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Thursday, (May 22). The rate was 3.1 percent a year ago.

The county had 6,777 employed persons in a labor force of 6,943 in April. In March those numbers were 6,753 of 6,967. A year ago the numbers were 6,388 of 6.591.

61 Pulaski County students earn Ivy Tech degrees, certificates

KOKOMO (May 9) - Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo Service Area, which includes campuses and instructional sites in Kokomo, Loganspor and Peru, celebrated the Class of 2025 with three commencement ceremonies Friday, May 9.

The events, divided by schools, honored 1,128 students who are expected to have completed work on 1,432 degrees and certificates by the end of the Fall 2024 and Spring and Summer 2025 terms.

  

Post News

CFoPC awards$17,000 to community organizations

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFoPC)  announced Thursday (June 5) $17,000 has been awarded in grants to four local nonprofits and community organizations.

The Foundation works to strengthen the community through funding, convening and fostering collaboration among nonprofits to amplify their impact.

Winamac Community HS presents 2025 senior awards

WINAMAC - Winamac Community High School has announced its 2025 Senior Awards winners, honoring graduates for various academic and athletic awards, and scholarships.

The awards were presented at the annual Senior Awards program Friday evening (May 30).

Winamac Community HS 2025 commencement exercises held June 1

Senior photos featured

WINAMAC - Commencement exercises for the Class of 2025 at Winamac Community High School were held Sunday June 1, at the high school gymnasium.

Diplomas were presented to 81 seniors.

Human Services celebrates 50 years

Pulaski County Human Services (PCHS) continued the celebration of its golden anniversary Wednesday (May 28) at its annual Senior Citizen Health and Resource Fair in Star City.

PCHS is a non-profit organization that provides assistance to low-income, disabled, and elderly households, as well as general public-transportation and referral services in Pulaski County.

West Central HS awards diplomas to 41 seniors

Senior photos featured

FRANCESVILLE - The 58th annual commencement exercises at West Central High School were held Sunday (May 25), in the school gymnasium. Diplomas were awarded to 41 seniors.

The program opened with a baccalaureate service at 2 p.m., sponsored by the West Central Ministerial Association, followed by the commencement ceremonies.