The CDC COVID Data Tracker reports that nationally, COVID test positivity was 4.3 percent the week ending Feb. 22, down from 4.6 percent the previous week. Emergency room visits for COVID-diagnosed patients were 0.8 percent, down from 0.9 percent the week before. The percent of all deaths in the U.S. due to COVID was 1.1 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 March 4)

  • 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. 26, and presented through Feb. 22. 
View this dataset on data.cdc.gov.

What to know (as of Feb. 28)

Activity Levels Update:

Reported on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025

  • The amount of acute respiratory illness causing people to seek health care is moderate.
  • Nationally, emergency department visits are high for diagnosed influenza and moderate for RSV. Emergency department visits for COVID-19 are low.
  • Nationally, influenza (24.5%) test positivity decreased and COVID-19 (4.3%) and RSV (7.1%) test positivity were similar to last week.
  • Nationally, wastewater viral activity levels for influenza A are at high levels. National COVID-19 wastewater viral activity levels are moderate, and RSV wastewater viral activity levels are low.
  • COVID predictions for the next two weeks suggest that emergency department visits will remain at a low to very low level. 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.

 

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

'Traditions!' Broadway favorite 'Fiddler on the Roof' returns to Winamac stage April 4-6

 WINAMAC - The Tony award-winning, Broadway favorite Fiddler on the Roof will return to the Winamac Community High School stage the weekend of April 4-6

The school’s drama department will present the classic musical which follows the story of Tevye, a Jewish peasant in pre-revolutionary Russia in the early 1900s. The dairyman father struggles to maintain his traditional values while attempting to marry off three of his daughters who have modern romantic ideals - all while growing anti-Semitic sentiment threatens his village.

PCPL lists March activities, programs

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for March. The include free trees for Earth Week, an adult refrigerator magnet craft, and kids’ “spring break bingo.”

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.

NIPSCO accepting applications for 2025 environmental action grant

Local organizations seeking funding for environmental initiatives may apply

MERRILLVILLE -  Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) is currently accepting applications for the 2025 Environmental Action Grant, an annual endowment awarded to local organizations to help fund environmental projects and programming across NIPSCO’s service area.

Now in its 10th year, the Environmental Action Grant has historically provided $577,000 in funding to a total of 143 projects with an emphasis on environmental education and restoration across northern Indiana.

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.

Firewood cutting for home use available at TR State Park

WINAMAC - The public is invited to cut up and remove certain downed trees at Tippecanoe River State Park for firewood.

Trees eligible for firewood have fallen as a result of natural causes or have been dropped by property staff. They are along roadsides or in public areas such as campsites and picnic areas.

  

Indiana News

Update: Avian Influenza continues to affect wild birds across Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS (March 3) - The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) continues to detect highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds throughout Indiana and has currently detected the H5NI virus in 30 counties.

HPAI is also suspected in an additional 32 counties based on reports involving the deaths of raptors, cranes, and waterfowl. Thirteen affected birds have been reported in Pulaski County, with significantly high cases found in neighboring Starke and Jasper counties.

Young receives subcommittee chairmanships, assignments

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 3) – U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) has announced his two subcommittee chairmanships and five additional subcommittee assignments for the 119th Congress.

Yakym concludes Indiana Innovation Tour

WARSAW (Feb. 21) - Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) concluded his Indiana Innovation Tour Friday, which included stops across the second district.

At each stop, Yakym talked with Hoosiers about a wide range of issues important to them, including regulations, taxes, jobs, the economy, a secure southern border, government efficiency and more.

Rep. Culp to serve on U.S. EPA Local Government Advisory Committee

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 13) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently appointed State Rep. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) as a member of its Local Government Advisory Committee.

Culp said there are numerous advisory committees with the purpose to help the president and executive branch better understand key topics. The main job of the committee is to tackle critical problems by working with the different governing bodies to develop common sense, long-lasting solutions.

Indiana COVID-19 News

Respiratory illnesses on downward trend in Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Department of Health reported March 5 that COVID-like illness emergency department visits numbered 331 statewide from Feb. 19-25, down 57from its previous weekly report. There were no state COVID-19 hospital admissions during that time period, and one (reported) COVID death.

In addition, the CDC reported Feb. 26, that the state's level of respiratory illness activity is "high" for the week ending Feb. 22 - an improvement from "very high" earlier in the month.

  

Post News

Suspect in custody, but police seek info on possible additional burglaries

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s office reports an arrest was made Wednesday (March 5) in Kentucky of a 48-year-old Louisiana man in connection to a residential burglary early last month north of Winamac.

Sheriff’s deputy Sgt. Seth Barton said the Feb. 8 incident involved a male subject allegedly impersonating a utility company representative who stole a large sum of money from the elderly resident and then fled the area.

Pulaski County Republican, Democrat parties choose officers

Pulaski County’s Republican and Democrat political parties held their reorganizational meetings Saturday (March 1), as required by rules determined by each organization.

Ken Boswell will become the new chairperson of the county’s Republican party, while Doug Denton will continue as chairperson of the Democrat party; both for four-year terms.

Alliance Bank provides tips to protect against check fraud

FRANCESVILLE - Alliance Bank has joined forces with the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) in partnership with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service on an initiative to help clients protect themselves from the growing threat of check fraud.

In support of this initiative, Alliance Bank offers educational materials and personal guidance to ensure customers have the tools they need to safeguard their financial assets and respond if they experience check fraud.

Jasper County deputy cleared in Jan. 26 officer-involved shooting of Hobart man

FRANKFORT (Feb. 27) – A state police investigation, reviewed by the Clinton County prosecutor’s office, has concluded that the Jan. 26 officer-involved fatal shooting of a Hobart man was “legally justified.”

The incident led to the death of Matthew Huttle, 42, following a traffic stop and attempted arrest of Huttle by a Jasper County sheriff’s deputy along SR 14 near the Jasper/Pulaski county line.

New staff members join CFoPC

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County, Inc. (CFoPC) announces the hiring of two new staff members.

Stacia Conrad will serve as coalition coordinator for the Pulaski County Early Learning Network, a CFoPC program, and Heidi Wright joins the foundation as its director of programs.