Elkhart County has seen a relatively low rate of COVID-19 infection compared to other large counties in Indiana so far.
Elkhart is the sixth most populous county in the state, but data shows that the area has experienced a less severe outbreak than other areas of Indiana. The South Bend Tribune reported this week that the slower rate of infection in Elkhart could mean a surge is on the way.
According to the Indiana State Department of Health, Elkhart County had 164 positive cases of COVID-19 as of Sunday, April 19. That is an increase of 34, since the newspaper noted 130 infections were reported as of Friday afternoon. The positive cases represent 12.5% of the county’s 1,314 total tests administered.
With a population of around 206,000, Elkhart County has a rate of infection of around 79 infections per 100,000 people. Across all of Indiana, the statewide rate of infection is about 173 infections per 100,000 people.
Marion County, the state’s most populous county, reported 4,052 positive cases of COVID-19 as of Sunday, April 19. Out of the 19,206 total tests completed in Marion County, 21.1% were positive. Marion has a population of more than 964,000 and a COVID-19 infection rate of around 420 infections per 100,000 people.
Compared to the 10 most populous counties in Indiana, Elkhart has the third lowest rate of positive cases per total tests.
| County name | Positive cases | Total tests | Positive tests/Total tests |
| TIPPECANOE | 58 | 1,293 | 4.49% |
| VANDERBURGH | 87 | 1,480 | 5.88% |
| ELKHART | 164 | 1,314 | 12.48% |
| HAMILTON | 598 | 4,418 | 13.54% |
| PORTER | 180 | 1,279 | 14.07% |
| ALLEN | 325 | 2,181 | 14.90% |
| LAKE | 1,182 | 5,639 | 20.96% |
| MARION | 4,052 | 19,206 | 21.10% |
| HENDRICKS | 499 | 1,949 | 25.60% |
| ST JOSEPH | 412 | 1,589 | 25.93% |
Hendricks County (population around 170,000) has reported 499 positive cases out of 1,949 total tests, or an infection rate of 25.6% among those tested. St. Joseph County has a population around 271,000, and has seen a 25.9% rate of infection among those tested.
Indiana reported 505 new COVID-19 cases between Thursday, April 16 and Sunday, April 19. According to the state’s website, the 505 new cases brought the state’s total to 11,686 on April 19. The state administered 3,585 new tests between April 2 and April 19.
The South Bend Tribune reported that Elkhart’s total cases on Friday, April 17 marked a nearly 90% spike from the week before, and a 35% increase from Monday, April 13. That and other data provided by county health officials could mean that the number of positive cases will continue to rise as more people are tested.
Click here to read the full story from the South Bend Tribune.
