County extends provisions

Jay County is complying with Gov. Eric Holcomb’s stay-at-home order, and county commissioners want it to stay that way.

Meeting in emergency session for the second time in 10 days, commissioners Chuck Huffman, Chad Aker and Mike Leonhard on Friday afternoon unanimously approved a resolution to extend the stay-at-home order for all Jay County residents under the guidelines adopted by Gov. Holcomb until the governor either modifies or rescinds his order.

Gov. Holcomb announced Friday he will extend his statewide order through April 21. (See related story.)

“As far as compliance with the governor’s order … for the most part we’re seeing really good compliance countywide,” health department administrator Heath Butz told commissioners.

His office is contacting individuals and businesses who may not be in proper compliance with the governor’s order.

“We do have two cases (of COVID-19) here in Jay County,” said Butz. “There are likely to be more,” he added. “There still is limited testing. It’s targeted testing.”

Butz said his office has contacted the majority of those who have had contact with the two individuals who have tested positive for the virus.

Some have been quarantined. Some are being monitored.

The number of individuals involved, Butz told Aker, is “manageable.”

“We’re doing fine right now,” he said.

Huffman expressed pleasure that the public is responding to the governor’s stay-at-home order.

“It makes you feel proud of the community that they’re stepping up and doing what they need to do,” he said.

Commissioners also unanimously approved a resolution “tweaking” the list of essential county government departments that can operate during the time the governor’s stay-at-home is in effect.

The revised list includes Jay Emergency Medical Service, Jay County Emergency Management Agency, the county retirement center, the health department, Jay-Portland Building and Planning and the highway department. The previous resolution also included all county law enforcement and the Jay Security Center.

Elected officials also have the discretion to call in employees they deem to be essential for specific tasks and periods of time.

Leonhard noted, for example, the ditch crews of the county surveyor’s office have plenty of work ahead of them during the next several weeks of spring.