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California Variant Detected In Elkhart County

Elkhart County Health Department
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Elkhart County Health Department

Elkhart County health officials announced Wednesday the more contagious California variant of the coronavirus has been detected in the county. 

County Health Officer Dr. Bethany Wait also said Wednesday that she was awaiting the release of Governor Holcomb's executive order to make a decision about the county's mask mandate. 

(Read the full release from the health department below.)

The Indiana Department of Health Laboratory (IDOHL) has notified Elkhart County Health  Department’s Health Officer, Dr. Bethany Wait, that a B.1427 COVID-19 variant was collected  over the weekend. The case is still under investigation. As further information is made available,  we will notify the public. 

Information about the B.1427 Variant 

The B.1427 variant is from the mutations found in California. The variant is more easily  transmittable which could lead to more infections and increase hospitalizations and deaths.  Genetic testing will continue to be performed on specimens collected in Elkhart County. The  presence of this variant in our community makes vaccinations even more essential for our  community. Please consider vaccination of COVID-19 if you are eligible. All vaccines are still  effective against the variant. 

If you feel sick, please get tested. The free testing facilities are located at the Concord Mall,  Shanklin Park in Goshen, and the Anglemyer Clinic in Nappanee. 

Be vigilant with mitigation efforts. Wear a mask, be socially distant, wash your hands often, and  use hand sanitizer in-between hand washings. 

County Health Officer Dr. Bethany Wait also said Wednesday that she was awaiting the release of Governor Holcomb's executive order to make a decision about the county's mask mandate. 

 

(Read Dr. Wait's letter to the community below.)

Elkhart County Community,

Elkhart County is aware of Governor Holcomb's anticipated Executive Order to modify the state's COVID-19 mitigation directives effective April 6, 2021. Our Health Department is still waiting to see the official requirements and recommendations set forth in the anticipated Executive Order. Recent news and social media posts have suggested that I have announced a final decision regarding mitigation directives and the continuation of face covering requirements following April 6, 2021. This is not true. As the Elkhart County Health Officer, I continue to work directly with the State Department of Health and local government officials to evaluate what is next in Elkhart County. The Elkhart County Health Department will release an official statement after we have had time to review the anticipated Executive Order from Governor Holcomb. Until then, residents of Elkhart County need to continue following the state and local mitigation directives currently in place. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Bethany Wait

Elkhart County Health Officer

Gemma DiCarlo came to Indiana by way of Athens, Georgia. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 2020 with a degree in Journalism and certificates in New Media and Sustainability. She has radio experience from her time as associate producer of Athens News Matters, the flagship public affairs program at WUGA-FM.
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