The spread of HIV in southeastern Indiana is slowing. The State Department of Health Thursday reported 160 confirmed cases and three preliminary positive cases.
That's up from 159 confirmed and one preliminary positive a week before.
The state also released numbers on new services in the local Community Outreach Center, which includes job counseling and local training, enrollment in HIP 2.0 insurance, HIV testing, substance abuse referrals, and vaccinations:
Total Visitors: 923
Total Services Utilized: 1,540
HIV Testing: 297
Immunizations: 343
Bureau of Motor Vehicles: 121
LifeSpring Mental Health Services: 94
HIV Care Coordination: 84
Department of Health Vital Records: 213
Family and Social Services Administration (HIP 2.0 enrollment): 345
Job Referrals through Indiana Department of Workforce Development: 43
Local health officials have attributed some of the success in fighting the epidemic to a needle-exchange program approved for Scott County, which was recently extended for the next year.
That program so far has seen 175 visitors, collected an estimated 15,964 needles, and provided 20,279 needles.