Make wishtv.com your home page

Indiana HIV cases reach 142

SCOTT COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) – Indiana state health officials announced on Friday that a total of 142 people have tested positive for HIV.

They say 136 of those cases are confirmed and six of those are preliminary. Scott and Jackson counties have both reported cases. Officials say the cases in Jackson County are considered low-risk.

Health workers are urging drug users to seek help at the Community Outreach Center in Austin. Officials are calling the outreach center a “one stop shop” for people seeking help.

The center is also where the needle exchange is located. One goal of the program is to provide clean needles for drug users to prevent the spread of HIV.

Gov. Mike Pence signed an emergency order last month that temporarily legalized the program. This week, he extended that order another 30 days.

For more information and to learn more about available resources, visit the Indiana State Department of Health’s website here.