COVI-19 cases up to 15 in state

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Staff Reports
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Staff Reports

INDIANAPOLIS —The Indiana State Department of Health reported three new presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing to 15 the number of Hoosiers diagnosed through ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. All but one of the patients are adults.

The new cases involve residents of Marion, LaPorte and Wells counties and have been included on ISDH’s online dashboard at in.gov/coronavirus. Other counties with positive cases are Adams, Boone, Hendricks, Howard, Johnson, Noble and St. Joseph.

Bartholomew County and Columbus officials said two people from Bartholomew County have been tested for the virus, but said on Friday, there were no confirmed presumptive positive cases locally.

ISDH continues to work with local health departments to identify close contacts of the existing patients and ensure that infection-control protocols, such as self-isolation and monitoring for symptoms, are implemented.

In addition to the new cases, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced new measures to help Indiana residents impacted by the spread of the virus. Among the directives are that Hoosiers who need to renew Medicaid eligibility will receive more time and no services will be interrupted. The Family Social Services Administration has asked federal officials to approve a request to temporarily waive the renewal process for state residents who need SNAP or TANF benefits. Hoosiers on Medicaid can now receive 90-day refills of medication for chronic conditions.

Also, state officials are working with the Indiana Department of Education to discuss solutions about student assessments and meals for children whose schools have closed or extended spring breaks. Community meals for seniors are being converted to home meal deliveries.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated its nursing home visitation guidance. This guidance requires facilities to restrict all visitors and non-essential healthcare personnel, except for compassionate care situations such as end-of-life situations, according to the state department of health.

State health officials said the state health department’s call center is experiencing an extremely high call volume. The ISDH general call center number is 317-233-7125. Calls after 8 p.m. should go to 317-233-1325 and will be answered by an on-call epidemiologist. Call center staff will not offer personal medical advice or provide test results.

Hoosiers are encouraged to sign up at in.gov/coronavirus to receive alerts and the latest updated guidance as the outbreak evolves.

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Visit www.crh.org/news/2020/03/12/coronavirus-update-what-you-need-to-know to learn more about Columbus Regional Health’s COVID-19 Triage Resource Call Center.

CRH has set up the triage resource call center to prescreen those who are concerned or have questions about potential exposure or symptoms of coronavirus. The number is 812-379-4449 and is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. The phone number is answered by trained nurses.

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Anyone with concerns about symptoms of COVID-19 or exposure should contact the COVID-19 Resource Call Center at 8120379-4449 BEFORE seeking medical attending. Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should call 911.

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Websites with more information

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For a closings and cancellation list, see Page A3.

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