Tippecanoe County, Purdue posting high COVID numbers

The number of positive COVID-19 cases in both Tippecanoe County and on the campus of Purdue University have recently outpaced the rest of the state.

Tippecanoe County currently has the highest number of cases per ten thousand residents of any county in Indiana. At Purdue, the university reported a 21% testing positivity rate within its campus community – close to the all-time high.

A spokesperson for the school underlined that they are only testing people who are symptomatic or have been knowingly exposed to the virus, which makes the numbers seem higher than they actually are.

Tippecanoe County Health Officer Dr. Jeremy Adler says the numbers being reported are artificially low because at-home tests aren’t being reported.  “As we see gatherings and social activities increase and as we get back more back to our typical pre-pandemic lifestyle and activities it’s really not that surprising that we’re starting to see more cases.”

Adler says hospitalizations and deaths have remained low across the county.

In a press release following WBAA’s request for comment, university officials called on the Purdue community to “finish strong,” and encouraged vaccination and booster shots.