Dr. William Remington is pictured in March of 2020 when the pandemic was first revving up. InkFreeNews file photo.

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect that, although the Kosciusko County Board of Health recommended reappointing Kosciusko County Health Officer Dr. William Remington for another four-year term, the Kosciusko County Commissioners will have the final say regarding the reappointment. Commissioners will be making a decision before the end of the year.

WARSAW — Dr. William Remington was recommended for reappointment to serve another four-year term as Kosciusko County Health Officer during the Kosciusko County Board of Health meeting Monday, Oct. 18.

Remington’s current term ends Dec. 31.

He has served as the county health officer continuously since 1994 and has been the leading voice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kosciusko County Commissioners will have the final say regarding Remington’s reappointment.

Remington provided a COVID update during Monday night’s board of health meeting in which he discussed immunization rates, school mask mandates and the Delta Variant among other things. 

“What really spooked a lot of us was the emergence of more pediatric cases,” Remington said. “Our own local statistics … with the number of pediatric, school-age kids we started to see right as the schools were opening really shot up, so it was kind of a perfect storm in September. It was really bad. And it was the Delta Variant.” 

Two members of the Board of Health, Dr. Brian Reichenbach and Larry Coplen, were also recommended for reappointment to serve another term. 

In other news:

• The 2022 budget was adopted by county council last week. The budget includes a 4% raise for employees.
• Board of Health meeting dates for 2022 are Jan. 17, April 18, July 18 and Oct. 17. All meetings start at 6 p.m. and are held in the Old Courtroom at the Kosciusko County Courthouse.