CARMEL — The recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Hamilton County is being traced to private in-home social gatherings.
County and city officials are strongly encouraging people to reconsider their in-home and family events, especially with the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and ensure precautions are taken to avoid exposures.
“We must remain diligent in our fight against this disease. I know that many are experiencing COVID fatigue and have relaxed their standards when meeting with others socially. This has created a dangerous situation for those coming into contact with people who have been to a family event where the virus spread,” said Mayor Jim Brainard.
There's been a significant recent increase in the number of COVID -19 cases and deaths in Hamilton County. During the past 40-days, there have been 32 COVID-related deaths compared to 18 deaths over the previous 135-days.
According to the City of Carmel, the latest increase is due to relaxed diligence at in-home social gatherings. Contact tracers have learned that COVID-19 is being transmitted at private social gatherings in homes—such as birthday parties, weddings and dinner parties.
County officials are strongly encouraging people to reconsider their in-home and family events, especially with the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and ensure precautions are taken to avoid exposures.
“It is very tempting with Thanksgiving just around the corner to think that celebrating together with family or a small group of friends is harmless," said Mayor Brainard. "Our data shows that the opposite is true. It is the in-home gatherings that are causing the increase in COVID cases and deaths."
The mayor added that state and county officials may elect to close businesses and limit streets to essential travel only if infections continue to increase, but expressed hope that those sort of restrictions won’t be necessary.
