State COVID-19 death toll at more than 2,100 Hoosiers

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) said 397 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 34,574 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total.

A total of 1,967 Hoosiers are confirmed to have died from COVID-19, an increase of nine over the previous day. Another 167 probable deaths have been reported based on clinical diagnoses in patients for whom no positive test is on record, following a correction to the previous day’s total. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days.

Bartholomew County is reporting 511 positive cases with 35 deaths, which is an increase of one from Saturday.

The Bartholomew County Health Department said 5,220 total tests have been performed locally, with the 511 positive results and 3,925 negative results. There are 917 tests pending.

The number of positives of Bartholomew County residents may include testing that was conducted out of county. Conversely, the number of total tests may also include submissions for non-Bartholomew County residents. The counts listed for positives and deaths is only for Bartholomew County residents.

Other surrounding counties reported:

  • Brown County: 33 positive tests, one death.
  • Jackson County: 389 positive tests, one death.
  • Jennings County: 130 positive tests, four deaths.
  • Decatur County: 224 positive tests, 31 deaths.
  • Shelby County: 373 positive tests, 22 deaths.
  • Johnson County: 1,105 positive tests, 108 deaths.

To date, 261,546 tests have been reported to ISDH, up from 256,395 on Saturday.

Intensive care unit and ventilator capacity remain steady. As of today, nearly 40 percent of ICU beds and nearly 84 percent of ventilators are available.

Hoosiers who have symptoms of COVID-19 and those who have been exposed and need a test to return to work are encouraged to visit a state-sponsored testing site, including one in Columbus, for free testing. Individuals without symptoms who are at high risk because they are over age 65, have diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure or another underlying condition, as well as those who are pregnant, live with a high-risk individual or are a member of a minority population that is at greater risk for severe illness, also are encouraged to get tested.

To find testing locations, visit www.coronavirus.in.gov and click on the COVID-19 testing information link. More than 200 locations are available around the state.

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Testing sites” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Those who wish to be tested must register in advance online or by calling a hotline. To register, visit https://lhi.care/covidtesting or call (888) 634-1123. Those who apply will be screened before being assigned a time and location for testing.

[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”About testing” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

People with symptoms such as shortness of breath or risk factors such as being older than 60 and/or having a compromised immune system should seek medical care and let their physician decide if a COVID-19 test will help direct their care.

Anyone with concerns are urged to call the health system’s Triage Resource Call Center, a phone resource line launched by CRH to handle calls from residents with questions and concerns about exposure or symptoms associated with COVID-19. The phone line is open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is staffed by registered nurses who will offer screening questions and potentially recommend a course of action for patients.

The phone resource line can be contacted at 812-379-4449.

Visit crh.org/news/2020/03/16/coronavirus-update-what-you-need-to-know for more information.

[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”For more information” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

For more information about COVID-19, including a list of frequently asked questions, visit in.gov/coronavirus.

Visit the Indiana State Department of Health in.gov/isdh/ or follow us on Twitter at @StateHealthIN and on Facebook at facebook.com/StateHealthIN.

[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Where to learn more” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Visit the Community COVID-19 Task Force’s website at covid19communitytaskforce.org

[sc:pullout-text-end]