The number of confirmed and preliminary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases have topped 100 in southeastern Indiana, health officials reported Thursday.
Specifically, there have been a total of 106 HIV positive tests, which includes 95 confirmed and 11 preliminary cases.
Governor Michael R. Pence signed a comprehensive emergency executive order on March 25, declaring a public health emergency in Scott County and permitting Scott County Health Department to design and administer a limited and focused short-term needle exchange program.
The program expires on Saturday, April 25.
Operated by the Scott County Health Department, the needle exchange program includes Scott County residents only. Participants will be counseled as to their drug use and provided needles based upon their use for a week. Participants are asked to return used needles for proper disposal.
Participants will be provided with substance abuse, mental health and other appropriate resources at every visit, as well as sharps containers for safe disposal of used needles. The program will collect basic demographic information for research and statistical purposes, but will not be collecting names.
As of April 7, 168 needles have been provided, while 300 needles were returned.
