Indiana HIV Outbreak Response Update: Tuesday April 14, 2015

Start Date: 4/14/2015Start Time: 12:00 AM

End Date: 4/14/2015

 

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Entry Description

Current Situation
State health officials reported a total of 106 cases of HIV-related cases (95 confirmed and 11 preliminary positive cases) on Fri., April 10.

Services are being provided at the Austin Community Outreach Center, 2277 W. Frontage Road, Austin, Ind. The Center has new hours on Tues. and Fri. to help better accommodate the community. It is now open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Mon., Wed., Thurs. and Sat.; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Tues. and Fri.; noon-6 p.m. on Sun. 

A free shuttle service is being provided by Grace Covenant Church. Participants in need of transportation service to and from the Community Outreach Center from Austin can call (317) 617-2223. 

MEDIA NOTE: Some residents have reported feeling uncomfortable visiting the Community Outreach Center due to the presence of cameras and media. In order to encourage more residents to take advantage of services, center staff requests that media do not visit the Community Outreach Center during hours of operation. 

All figures provided are current through 3:00 p.m., Monday, April 13, 2015.

One-Stop Shop Update at the Community Outreach Center
ISDH opened a One-Stop Shop at the Austin Community Outreach Center on Monday, March 30, in coordination with local partners and other state agencies. Services provided include: access to state-issued ID cards, birth certificates, enrollment in HIP 2.0 insurance, HIV testing, care coordination, substance abuse referrals, and vaccinations against tetanus, Hepatitis A and B.

Also, on April 13, the Department of Workforce Development began providing job counseling and local training. 

Total Services Utilized: 266 (Note: this is a correction from the 277 reported at the media availability this morning.) 
HIV Testing: 65
Immunizations: 55
Bureau of Motor Vehicles: 27
LifeSpring Mental Health Services: 19
Department of Health Vital Records: 36
Family and Social Services Administration (HIP 2.0 enrollment): 63
Indiana Department of Workforce Development WorkOne: 1 

Governor Pence’s Executive Order
Governor Michael R. Pence signed a comprehensive emergency executive order on March 26, declaring a public health emergency in Scott County and permitting Scott County Health Department to design and administer a limited and focused short-term needle exchange program. The program will be implemented under the supervision of the Indiana State Department of Health and will expire on April 25, 2015. 

Scott County Needle Exchange Program Update
Operated by the Scott County Health Department, the needle exchange program includes Scott County residents only. Participants will be counseled as to their drug use and provided needles based upon their use for a week. Participants are asked to return used needles for proper disposal. 

Participants will be provided with substance abuse, mental health and other appropriate resources at every visit, as well as sharps containers for safe disposal of used needles. The program will collect basic demographic information for research and statistical purposes, but will not be collecting names. 

Location: Austin Community Outreach Center
Total Visitors: 43
Estimated Needles Brought In: 580
Total Needles Distributed: 1,516 

On April 13, the Scott County Health Department took the mobile needle exchange unit into the community for the first time. The mobile unit was open for approximately one hour and was forced to close for the day due to rain. The mobile unit is schedule to be open daily from 3-6 p.m., but times may vary due to staffing limitations and weather. 
 
Community Guidance for Needles
What to do if you find a needle:
Do not attempt to touch a needle or pick it up. Contact Scott County Dispatch at (812) 752-5550 to report the location of the needle within the community. If possible, stay with the needle and direct officers to it.   

What to do if you are accidentally stuck by a used needle:
Wash the injured area right away with soap and water. Immediately go to the Emergency Department at Scott Memorial Hospital and tell the healthcare provider you have had a needlestick. Do not pick up the needle or attempt to take it with you. Report the location of the needle to Scott County Dispatch at (812) 752-5550.