Monroe County Health Department

10/20/2026

As we kick off National Teen Driver Safety Week, parents — remember that teens often model the driving habits they see at home.

Sit down with your young driver this week to establish clear house rules around these non-negotiables. ⤵️

10/19/2026

10/19/2026

Sweater weather is officially here, and that means one more thing to check before you buckle up: removing the bulky coat before buckling the car seat. A thick coat can compress in a crash, leaving the harness too loose to do its job. Buckle and secure the harness first, then you can add the coat over the top or use it as a blanket instead. This small move can make a big difference in how well the harness can protect your rider.

10/16/2026

⛅️ Public Health "Weather" Report ⛅️
According to wastewater testing done by WastewaterSCAN for Monroe County, as of October 13th, 2026:

🦠 SARS-CoV-2 levels are moderate.

🦠 Influenza levels overall are moderate, with Influenza A levels high and Influenza B below detectable limits.

🦠 RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) levels are below detectable limits.

🦠 Norovirus (also known as the stomach 'flu') levels are low.

Recommendations for minimizing the spread of illness:
🧼 Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
🤒 Stay home if you're feeling sick or test positive.
😷 Wear a well-fitting mask.
💉 Get your updated flu and COVID vaccinations.

We have free at-home 3-in-1 Flu & COVID tests available at the Health Building, 119 W. 7th St. in Bloomington!

Source: data.wastewaterscan.org

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⛅️ Informe ‘Meteorológico’ de Salud Pública ⛅️
Según las pruebas de aguas residuales realizadas por WastewaterSCAN para el condado de Monroe, datos al 13 de octubre de 2026:

🦠 Los niveles de SARS-CoV-2 están moderados.

🦠 Los niveles de Gripe en general son moderados, con niveles de Gripe A altos y Gripe B por debajo de los límites detectables.

🦠 Los niveles de VSR (el virus sincitial respiratorio) están por debajo de los límites detectables.

🦠 Los niveles de Norovirus (también conocido como virus estomacal) están bajos.

Recomendaciones para minimizer la propagación de enfermedades:
🧼 Lávese bien las manos con agua y jabón.
🤒 Quédese en casa cuando esté enfermo o de positivo.
😷 Use una mascarilla bien ajustada.
💉 Obtén tus vacunas actualizadas contra el covid y la gripe

Tenemos 3-en-1 pruebas de gripe y COVID gratuitas para usar en casa disponibles en el Edificio de Salud, 119 W. 7th St. en Bloomington!

Fuente: data.wastewaterscan.org

10/16/2026

Have you see these products? If you see any of these, please report it to the Indiana State Chemist ASAP. Sale or use of these products are not legal in the United States because they pose significant health risks to both humans and pets.

If you purchased one of these products: 1) don gloves first, 2) double wrap the container it in plastic, 3) do not throw it in the normal trash, 4) contact the Jefferson County Recycle Center for disposal instructions.

If you used this product inside your home, 2) ventilate your home for several hours while your family and pets stay out of the home, 2) do not try to clean it up without first contacting us, 3) contact us immediately for specific instructions as this product should not be mixed with certain cleaning products and requires PPE.

10/14/2026

COMING UP!

FREE Stop the Bleed workshop at the Monroe County Public Library (Indiana) Downtown branch, Room 1C, 5:30-6:30pm on Monday, October 19th.

Participants will be trained to use a bleeding control kit, including CAT tourniquet.

Pre-registration is required: https://forms.office.com/g/P5wD23gpV5

Children are welcome but will need to be accompanied by an adult and should register individually (please be sure to indicate age on the registration form).

Questions? Reach out to Preparedness Coordinator Bryce Bookwalter at [email protected]

10/14/2026

🚨 When a smoke alarm sounds, don't ignore it.

A smoke alarm isn't something to silence because it's annoying. It's your warning to get out. Make sure your home has working smoke alarms and that everyone knows what the alarm sounds like.

If you hear it:

🔥 Get out immediately.
🚪 Use your planned escape route.
⬇️ Stay low if there's smoke.
🏠 Get outside.
❌ Don't go back inside.

And here's a good challenge for today:

Ask someone at home: “Do we know where we're meeting if we have to get out?”

If the answer is no, you've got a great conversation to start tonight.

10/13/2026

As the days get shorter, more of us are walking, biking, or driving during low-light hours. Staying visible can prevent serious injuries, especially during early mornings and evenings when visibility drops fast.

A few simple tips to keep everyone safer:

🔶 Wear something bright or reflective — even small reflective patches can make a big difference.
🔶 Use lights — walkers, runners, cyclists, and scooter users should all use front and rear lights when possible.
🔶 Drivers: Slow down and stay alert — watch for pedestrians in crosswalks and at bus stops, and give cyclists extra space.
🔶 Make eye contact before crossing the street to ensure drivers see you.
🔶 Teach kids to be visible — reflective backpacks, stickers, and bright coats help them stand out in dim light.

Let’s look out for each other this season.

10/13/2026

10/12/2026

It's Indigenous Peoples Day today, so we would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge and honor the Indigenous communities native to southern Indiana: the myaamiaki (Miami), Lënape (Delaware), Bodwéwadmik (Potawatomi), and saawanwa (Shawnee) people.

It's also important to recognize the ongoing health inequities faced by Indigenous communities, such as limited access to care, underfunded health systems, and the lasting impacts of racism and colonization. Public health must include listening, learning, and working in partnership with Indigenous communities to close these gaps and ensure equitable care for all.

Learn more in the Public Health on Call podcast episode with Dr. Donald Warne (Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health):
https://healthpodcastlibrary.com/shows/public-health-on-call/episodes/528-why-the-health-of-indigenous-people-impacts-us-all

(This image includes a pattern found in Myaamia ribbonwork on a pair of leggings belonging to the family of Mihšihkinaahkwa ‘Little Turtle’)