Positive Link, which has begun doing free HIV testing at sites in Vigo County, has experienced some increase in calls and testing here, likely because of heightened awareness about HIV, said Emily Brinegar, prevention coordinator for IU Health Positive Link.
It already offers free community testing at three locations in Terre Haute, and starting June 16, Positive Link will offer free rapid HIV testing from noon to 3 p.m. at the Vigo County Health Department clinic at 696 S. First St. Testing will be offered at the health department clinic the third Tuesday of every month.
“I think testing through the health department makes a lot of sense,” Brinegar said. “We’re always looking for programs that are easy for people in the community to access, and places they know exist. ... It feels like a natural fit for us.”
Joni Wise, Vigo County Health Department administrator, said the department had offered HIV testing starting in 1997. “This last year, we didn’t have it. We are resuming it,” she said. Before, the health department had used a disease intervention specialist with the State Department of Health.
“Now, we’re using Positive Link,” Wise said. “We’ve developed a relationship with them.”
In light of the HIV outbreak in Scott County, and the number of people with HIV in Vigo County, “we decided we want to expand individuals’ opportunities to get tested,” Wise said.
The 2014 Indiana annual report on HIV lists 11 new HIV/AIDS reports in Vigo County from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2014. The total persons living with HIV/AIDS — including people diagnosed in other states and now living in Indiana as of Dec. 31, 2014 — were listed at 274.
The 2013 Indiana annual report showed 12 new cases in Vigo County, with 261 total active cases.
There may be additional people seeking testing in the future. In April, Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt confirmed there was an active investigation into a person who is alleged to have knowingly spread HIV to other people in Vigo County. Indiana State Police are investigating the case.
Wise said she does anticipate an increase in testing.
Positive Link currently offers HIV testing from noon to 3 p.m. the first Friday of each month at the Walgreens on Wabash Avenue in Terre Haute, and those same hours on the second Friday of each month at the Walgreens on U.S. 41 South.
It also offers free testing at the Booker T. Washington Community Center from 1 to 4 p.m. on Mondays.
No appointments are necessary at the open, community sites where Positive Link offers testing.
Brinegar said the Positive Link Bloomington office has seen an increase in calls and testing in recent months, which she attributed to the HIV outbreak in Scott County and related publicity. “HIV is in the news a lot,” she said.
Positive Link’s programming is newer in Vigo County, but there has been some increase in calls and testing, she said.
Positive Link is a program of Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital Community Health that offers free HIV prevention and testing services and direct services for those infected with HIV. For more information about Positive Link’s services or to schedule an appointment, call 812-353-9150.