Coronavirus In Indiana March 18 Update: 39 Cases, 19 Counties

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — In a continuing effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), Governor Eric J. Holcomb has announced additional efforts as the ISDH reported 39 cases of the coronavirus in Indiana as of Wednesday.

Here are additional directives from Governor Holcomb:

• Gov. Holcomb signed an executive order Monday memorializing that day’s announcements. A copy of the executive order is attached. >> Monday’s press release
• The governor’s executive order also actives the Indiana National Guard to be on duty to assist as needed.
• The governor’s executive order also delays non-essential public meetings. For essential meetings, one member is required to be physically present, but other members will be allowed to participate electronically.
• Bars, nightclubs and restaurants should now be closed to dine-in patrons. They may provide take-out and delivery services through the end of March. The Governor expects those businesses to comply with the directive for the safety of Hoosiers in their communities without the need to call for enforcement measures.
• Indiana Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program has provided guidance to WIC agencies to help them continue to serve clients while protecting staff and their families: Indiana Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program
• The CDC has issued new guidance for when people can come out of self-isolation or quarantine.
• The ISDH call center continues to experience high volume. Hoosiers with general questions are encouraged to visit the website in.gov/coronavirus for more information. ISDH has implemented a toll-free call center at 877-826-0011 that includes options for healthcare providers as well as the public. Call center staff will not offer medical advice or provide test results.
• The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has 12 Workforce Regions throughout the state. At least one WorkOne is open in each region, except Marion County. DWD is working with that local WorkOne to ensure unemployment insurance claimants who need access to a computer have that access. >> A FAQ on Unemployment Insurance
• The DWD office in the Indiana Government Center South in Marion County is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and has computers available for use.
• The Indiana State Library is now closed to the public. Access to the library’s online services, such as Ask-A-Librarian, INSPIRE and the Digital Collections, will continue to be available without interruption.

The ISDH announced Tuesday morning that a second Hoosier — an adult from Johnson County — died from the coronavirus. This person was over 60 years old and had been hospitalized, according to a news release from the ISDH, who added that no further information about the patient will be released due to privacy laws.

As of Wednesday, ISDH reported 39 the number of Hoosiers diagnosed through ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories.

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Number of current positive cases by Indiana county, according to ISDH:

• Adams: 1
• Bartholomew: 1
• Boone: 1
• Clark: 1
• Fayette: 1
• Floyd: 1
• Franklin: 2
• Hamilton: 2
• Hendricks: 4
• Howard: 2
• Jennings: 1
• Johnson: 3
• Lake: 3
• LaPorte: 1
• Madison: 1
• Marion: 11
• Noble: 1
• St. Joseph: 1
• Wells: 1

Related:

• Big Ten Tournament Canceled In Indianapolis Amid Coronavirus
• Indiana Has 1st Case Linked To Coronavirus: State Health Dept.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb issued a public health emergency for the state of Indiana on March 6 as he and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) the first then-presumptive positive (now confirmed) case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in a Marion County resident who recently traveled to Boston, according to a news release from ISDH.

What is coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold as well as much more serious diseases. The strain of the virus that causes COVID-19, called SARS-Cov-2, is related to others that have caused serious outbreaks in recent years, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

The disease, which apparently originated in animals, is now transferring from person to person, although the mechanism is not yet fully understood. Its symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath, and many patients develop pneumonia. There is as yet no vaccine against COVID-19 and no antiviral treatment.

According to the news release, human coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through:

• Respiratory droplets released into the air by coughing and sneezing;
• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands;
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands; and
• Rarely, fecal contamination.

According to health officials, the best way to protect yourself from any respiratory illness, including the flu, is to:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Also read:

• Related: Coronavirus United States: Update For Wednesday
• Drugs In Development For SARS Could Work For Coronavirus, Chicago Researchers Find
• An Outbreak Of Coronavirus Misinformation: AP Fact Check
• Coronavirus Outbreak: Tips To Prepare At Home

The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it. A face mask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms to protect others from the risk of infection.

>> Frequently asked questions

More information and updates via Indiana State Department of Health