The Indiana Department of Health reported Wednesday Delaware County’s positivity rate continues to rise. 21 new cases were reported yesterday, with a 4.8% positivity rate, up from the 4.4% positivity rate reported on Tuesday. One new death was noted, bringing the county’s pandemic death toll to 185.

The county’s COVID spread rating has gotten worse – up to a Yellow Level 1.0 rating, from a Blue-Level 0.5 rating, yesterday.  All counties surrounding Delaware County still have a better Blue-Level 0.5 rating.

COVID spread ratings have also increased in Indiana’s counties bordering Michigan where the virus is flaring up.  LaPorte County has an Orange Level 2.5 COVID spread rating.  A Red-Level 3.0 rating is the worst.  To the east, Elkhart, LaGrange, and Steuben counties have Orange-Level 2.0 ratings.

State health officials are concerned about Hoosiers not getting vaccinated and dropping their virus guard too soon, laying the groundwork for a surge in coronavirus cases, statewide, this fall.