While COVID-19 cases are climbing in other parts of the country, one Indiana public health expert said Monroe County is likely just a few weeks behind.

Graham McKeen, a public health advisor and former IU Health director, said the current uptick is typical of seasonal summer trends, though it’s arriving a little later than last year.

“We’re not seeing as much here locally—at least not as of yet,” McKeen said. “But the wastewater data has gone up a little in the last couple of weeks.”

McKeen said wastewater surveillance is the most reliable local indicator now, as many COVID tests are no longer officially reported and some cases may go uncounted. He said he expects local cases to rise in the coming weeks, especially with IU students returning to Bloomington.

“It’s not about panic—it’s about awareness,” he said. “If we see a spike coming, that’s when I might put on a KN95 in a crowded setting or test more often if I feel symptoms.”

Though cases remain low in Indiana, McKeen said public health preparedness has slowed statewide.

He said Indiana originally allocated hundreds of millions of dollars for local health departments under the Health First Indiana Act. But after a budget shortfall and change in administration, much of that funding has been stripped away.

“I think public awareness is quite low,” he said. “A lot of people aren’t paying attention anymore — unless they’re immunocompromised or high-risk.”

McKeen encouraged residents to monitor trends and practice harm reduction, especially to protect those at higher risk.