Coronavirus roundup for April 20th: Statewide deaths dip; Governor announces changes

Indiana now has 11,686 total cases of COVID-19 being reported, an increase of 476 cases since Sunday’s total, and has had 569 deaths as of Monday afternoon’s update, an increase of 7 deaths from yesterday’s numbers.

The Indiana State Department of Health is reporting that Bartholomew County has 140 confirmed cases an increase of 4 cases since yesterday. There have been 6 deaths so far from the coronavirus in Bartholomew County, unchanged since last week. There have been 990 Bartholomew County residents tested with 697 negative results and 111 tests still pending.

In other area counties, Decatur has 168 cases and has had 18 deaths. Jennings 64 cases and 1 death, Jackson 89 cases and no deaths, Brown 14 cases and 1 death, Johnson 426 cases and 33 deaths, and Shelby 111 cases and 4 deaths.

Governor modifies “hunker down Hoosiers” order

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today issued a revised Stay At Home order that lasts through May 1 and is designed to limit interactions among Hoosiers to increase containment of COVID-19. As of today, 11,686 people have tested positive and 569 people have died from the disease in Indiana. There are now positive tests in 92 of 92 counties. Click here to see the executive order:https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm

As a part of this action, Gov. Holcomb also extended through May 1 the orders that limit in-person public activity at state government offices and put restrictions on the operation of restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

I want to thank Hoosiers in every corner of our state who have stayed socially-distanced and hunkered down. Lives are being saved, and were slowing the spread, Gov. Holcomb said. Continuing the course at this time is essential to flattening the curve while we also prepare to safely reopen Indiana for business.

While the Stay At Home order chiefly continues as is, EO 20-22 brings clarity to some essential businesses.

• As long as sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE), staff and other supplies are available for the COVID-19 response, hospitals should conduct medically necessary procedures, such as those determining cancer diagnosis and cardiac issues, respiratory procedures, and procedures to reduce significant pain or symptoms making quality of life unacceptable.

Any restrictions involving medical procedures will be evaluated every seven days for appropriate and timely modifications that could be implemented.

• Permitted outdoor activity as described in the executive order includes yard work, gardening, planting and landscaping at residential, commercial and industrial properties and farms.

Nurseries and garden centers may be open for business as long as they limit the number of customers in their facility at any given time to achieve the Centers for Disease Controls required social distancing, limit their hours of operation and consider implementing separate operating hours for the elderly and other vulnerable customers, and comply with the social distancing, sanitation and other mitigation measure to protect its employees and the public.

• Pet grooming at a pet salon, store or mobile unit is permitted.

The Critical Industries Hotline continues to be available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to respond to business and industry questions about whether a business is considered essential. The center may be reached by calling 877-820-0890 or by emailing[email protected]

Answers to frequently asked questions and instructions to file for COVID-19-related unemployment are available atUnemployment.IN.gov.

A link to the updated Stay-At-Home Order FAQ may be found here:https://www.in.gov/gov/3232.htmPlease refer to this FAQ page for guidance and clarifications.

More information may be found at the ISDH website atcoronavirus.in.govand the CDC website athttps://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.