FRANKFORT, Ind – Two Clinton County zip codes, 46041 and 46065, are identified as COVID-19 hotspots here in Indiana according to a revised statewide map published Tuesday, November 17th.
Using data from the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), Micah Pollak, Associate Professor of Economics at Indiana University Northwest, published a revised statewide map on Tuesday showing the average weekly new COVID-19 cases over a 4-week period by zip code in Indiana. Professor Pollak was assisted in this project by Susan Batt, 13 Investigates & Special Projects Producer at WTHR.
The method of determining a numerical value by zip code looked at the average new weekly cases over a 4-week period, from October 19th through November 15th. Then zip code population data available from 2018 population tables published by the U.S. Census Bureau was used to allow each zip code to be analyzed evenly. A statistical method used commonly known as occurrences in 1,000. In this instance, the weekly average of new COVID-19 cases per 1,000 people.
The result was the grouping of results across 7 bands, 0-0.75, 0.75-1.5, 1.5-2.25, 2.25-3.0, 3.0-3.75, 3.75-4.5, and 4.5+. Clinton County zip code 46041 and 46065 fell within the 4.5+ band. Other Clinton County zip codes appearing in grouping bands included zip codes 46058 (3.0-3.75 band), and 46050 (2.25-3.0 band).
Like each of the previous maps, this revised map shows the current spread of COVID-19 with the respective zip code for the time period. According to Pollak, “Since each map reflects new cases, they effectively measure where cases are growing the fastest during each period, not necessarily where total cases are the highest. If it helps, you can think of each map within the graphic as showing the “hot spots” during that time.”
This recent map reflected a need to change the color code scale and add a new color to best capture the grouping. “[The] colors are not directly comparable due to the rise in cases,” said Pollak. “Darkest red has gone from 1.4 and above on original to 3.75-4.5 now AND I added new color (black) for 4.5+.”
The following is the most recent zip code data by count only as pulled on November 17, 2020.
46035 Colfax: Suppressed
46039 Forest: Suppressed
46041 Frankfort: 995 cases
46050 Kirklin: 42 cases
46057 Michigantown: Suppressed
46058 Mulberry: 130 cases
46065 Rossville: 112 cases
46067 Sedalia: No cases
Note: Suppression occurs when there are either less than 5 COVID cases to a zip code or the zip code’s population is less than 1,500.
Today, November 17, the ISDH reported an additional 24 Clinton County residents had tested positive bringing the total count to 1,512 since the beginning of the pandemic.
