This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, February 8th, 2021.

Later in the program, we have the latest edition of A Few Minutes with the Mayor - a weekly segment where we ask Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton listener-posed questions on community issues.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Covid-19 cases are trending downward across the state and in Monroe County. However, health experts are warning the positive trend may be short-lived. More in today’s headlines.

But first, we turn to WFHB Correspondent Aaron Comforty for today’s local news brief:

COVID-19 Press Conference 

Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill stated COVID-19 cases were declining during the February 5th COVID-19 press conference. She spoke of Monroe County cases per 100,000 people.

Caudill mentioned gathering size limits were moved to a maximum of 50 people due to change in health order regulations. However, Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton reminded community members, the gathering size limit remains at 15 inside city limits. Caudill mentioned demand for the COVID-19 vaccine was not as high in surrounding counties.

IU Health South Central Region Program Director for Community Relations and Outreach Shana Gergis reported, as of February fourth, Bloomington had used approximately 18 thousand 8 hundred vaccines. Caudill mentioned rapid result COVID-19 tests are available at the South Morton Street location for any persons.

Covid-19 Update: Positivity Rate on the Decline

 Cases of Covid-19 are trending downward nationally, statewide and locally. However, health experts say it’s too early for the vaccine to have any substantial effect on the decline of new coronavirus cases.

During Governor Holcomb’s Covid-19 update last week, State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box acknowledged the state’s declining positivity rate.

"We continue to see improvement in our positivity rate," said Dr. Box. "We have also seen a decline in the number of Hoosiers hospitalized with Covid symptoms."

Although the latest numbers may look promising, the downward trend is not assured to continue. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warns of several new variants starting to spread in the U.S.

"The continued proliferation of variants - variants that likely have increased transmissibility, that spread more easily, threatens to reverse these recent trends," said the new CDC director.

Another possible reason for the decline has to do with record-high cases last month as a result of increased indoor gatherings over the holiday season.

Dr. Todd Ellerin, infectious disease expert at South Shore Health in Massachusetts, warned that the declining positivity rate might be deceiving.

"It's still winter. The virus loves to spread indoors," said Dr. Ellerin. "I'm afraid the darkest days are not over yet."

Dr. Kristina Box said regular Covid-19 safety precautions are still necessary in limiting the spread of the virus, as the state has a limited supply of vaccines to distribute.

"As I've cautioned before, these changes do not mean we are out of the woods," said Dr. Box.

As of Monday, nearly 700,000 people received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in Indiana. About 232,000 Indiana residents are fully vaccinated.

However, according to the CDC, not even one-tenth of the U.S. population has been vaccinated. That means we won’t see the true effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccine until at least the summer or even as late as fall 2021.

Monroe County Board Zoning Appeals 

 

County Planner Tammy Behrman presented three variances for a storage structure in Bean Blossom Township to the Monroe County B...