Indiana coronavirus updates: Eli Lilly offers free tests to health-care workers; state has 6th COVID-19 death

This live blog was maintained Saturday and Sunday. For the latest updates on Monday, March 23, click here.

Starting Monday, Eli Lilly and Co. will offer drive-through testing for COVID-19 to Indianapolis health-care workers.

The tests will be free but are only available to active health-care workers, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists and allied health-care professionals who have a physician’s order for the test, the company said in a news release Sunday.

The tests will be at Eli Lilly's headquarters in Indianapolis and are not for the general public.

Eli Lilly announced last week its plans to offer testing of samples from local hospitals, and this drive-through testing is an expansion of the company’s services.

"Lilly is committed to doing what we can to help fight COVID-19 in our community. By offering testing to our active health care workers, we hope to protect both them and the patients they serve," said Daniel Skovronsky, chief scientific officer at Lilly and president of Lilly Research Labs.

Lilly has more information on testing requirements and registration on its website: lilly.com.

— MJ Slaby

State health officials confirm 6 fatal cases

Six Hoosiers have died after testing positive for coronavirus, the Indiana State Department of Health said Sunday afternoon

The Health Department confirmed a death in Scott County that county officials announced earlier in the day, as well as a death in Marion County for a total of six COVID-19 related deaths in the state.

Both patients were over age 50 and had underlying medical conditions, per ISHD. No additional information about them was released.

As of Sunday morning, Indiana had 201 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and all but one was an adult, the Health Department said.

Three of Indiana's six fatal cases were in Marion County, the most of any county in the state. Johnson, Delaware and Scott counties have each had one fatal case.

— MJ Slaby

Scott County resident becomes state's 5th fatal case

Scott County health officials reported Sunday that a resident who tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Friday had died.

According to a news release, the patient was an individual in their 50s with a "pre-existing condition." Officials said the patient had been self-quarantining at home and died early Sunday.

"We send condolences to the family and friends of the one who passed. This is a stark reminder of the severity of this disease," local health officer Dr. R. Kevin Rogers said in a statement. "We as a community must listen to the guidance of the experts and practice all the ways to not spread the disease including social distancing. We all must protect those who are most vulnerable."

In the same update, Scott County officials also stated that there are conflicting reports of a second documents case in the county, as reflected on the Indiana State Department of Health's coronavirus dashboard.

Officials said this case lives in a surrounding county and they are working with the ISDH to update the information.

— Justin L. Mack

State reports 76 new cases, bringing total to 201

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Indiana climbed to 201 Sunday, according to the Indiana State Department of Health coronavirus dashboard. Seventy-six new cases were reported Sunday morning.

The number of cases in Marion County increased from 46 to 82, the most in the state. Hamilton County is now reporting 18 cases, up from 10 on Saturday.

Seven counties reported their first cases, according to the state map: Hancock, Monroe, Morgan, Tipton, Putnam, Dubois and Ripley.

The dashboard was also updated to remove a negative case that was incorrectly reported to the ISDH as positive from Greene County, officials said. That is why despite the dashboard going from 126 cases Saturday to 201 cases Sunday, the number of new confirmed cases reported Sunday is 76.

The dashboard was also updated to reflect a change in residence that moved one case from Hancock County to Marion County,

As of Sunday, Indiana officials had tested 1,494 people, up from the 833 reported Saturday. Testing figures from the IDSH may not include tests conducted by private labs that led to negative results.

The dashboard is updated every day around 10 a.m.

Private labs are not required to provide negative results to the state.

— Justin L. Mack

Kroger adds purchase limits to eggs, meat, diapers and other products

In its continued response to high customer demand amid the coronavirus crisis, Kroger is adding purchase limits to additional products.

Shoppers are limited to purchasing no more than three of items like meat, eggs, baby wipes and diapers. That is in addition to purchase limits on items like hand sanitizer, cleaning products and paper products.

Kroger officials said signs in each department offer guidance regarding the number of products customers may buy during one shopping trip.

Kroger officials are also urging shoppers to buy only what they truly need, and Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen asks customers to be patient and be kind.

“We are replenishing our stores daily with the supplies and products our customers need the most. And, our dedicated and robust supply chain is working tirelessly to ensure this happens,” McMullen said in a statement.“(Kroger) will be here for you, and we are working hard for you.”

— Justin L. Mack

Public health emergency declared in Tippecanoe County

Tippecanoe County Board of Commissioners President Tracy Brown signed an order Saturday declaring the county a public health emergency because of the coronavirus pandemic.

"The purpose of this declaration is to facilitate future financial reimbursement funding assistance, supplies and other assistance as are made available through the state and federal government due to the health emergency," Brown wrote in a Saturday night news release.

The declaration is temporary and will require the vote of the full board of commissioners in a special meeting next week to extend the emergency declaration beyond seven days.

The order comes after a week when two confirmed cases of coronavirus were reported for two Tippecanoe County residents. The first was tested and hospitalized while traveling in Florida. Tippecanoe County health officials said the second case involved someone who had returned from Paris and was hospitalized at IU Health Arnett in Lafayette.

Full story

— Ron Wilkins, Lafayette Journal & Courier

Delaware Co. woman is state's 4th death due to coronavirus

The Delaware County Health Department reported Saturday that a person who tested positive for the coronavirus died.

The patient was identified as an "elderly" woman who died while being treated at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. She was the second Delaware County resident to test positive for the coronavirus.

It was the fourth death in Indiana.

“Although this is not the outcome we hoped for, I am grateful for the compassion and excellence our providers, nurses and team members showed in providing a safe and high-quality environment for this patient and their family," Dr. Jeff Bird, president of IU Health East Central Region said in a statement.

"As we move forward in this time of uncertainty together, it is more important than ever that we continue our commitments to each other and to those we serve. We acknowledge the concerns which now exist in our community and are committed to respond to the challenges of this unprecedented time.”

The Delaware County Health Department is working to identify people who had contact with the patient and ensure that all infection control protocols are followed.

State reports 47 new cases, bringing total to 126

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Indiana jumped to 126 on Saturday, according to Indiana State Department of Health numbers. The dashboard is updated every day around 10 a.m. Forty-seven new cases were reported Saturday.

The number of cases in Marion County increased from 25 to 46, by far the most in the state. Hamilton County is now reporting 10 cases, up from five on Friday.

Nine counties reported their first cases: Elkhart, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Howard, Lake, LaPorte, Scott and Vigo. Delaware County reported its first case on Friday.

As of Saturday, Indiana officials had tested 833 people, up from the 554 reported Friday. That number may not include tests conducted by private labs that led to negative results. Private labs are not required to provide negative results to the state.

— Elizabeth DePompei and Tim Evans

Indiana National Guard activated

The Indiana National Guard, activated Tuesday to assist with the state’s COVID-19 pandemic response, is currently working with the Indiana Department of Transportation at Stout Field in Indianapolis to help sort, package and distribute medical equipment and supplies to hospitals around the state, according to Brigadier Gen. R. Dale Lyles, Adjutant General of the Indiana National Guard.

Thousands of guardsmen are ready to help, he said. Lyles made the announcement in a video released Saturday.

He also reported guard officials are participating in critical planning meetings with officials of other state agencies to determine needs and “how our Hoosier soldiers and airmen can help our fellow citizens.”

“We are here to help during these trying times while providing any support we can to the COVID-19 pandemic response,” Lyles said.

Lyles was introduced in the video by Gov. Eric Holcomb.

— Tim Evans

Ascension St. Vincent updates restrictions

Ascension St. Vincent has updated temporary visitor restrictions, banning non-patients from all emergency departments.

The change announced in a statement Saturday covers all of its hospitals across the state and is aimed at limiting the spread of viral respiratory infections.

The statement added one parent or guardian may accompany any pediatric patient in the emergency room, and other compassionate exceptions may be made.

“This temporary restriction will assist in limiting the spread of the COVID-19 virus, ensuring that we are best equipped to provide exceptional care to our patients,” the statement said. “We will continue to monitor state and national recommendations and lift this restriction in the Emergency Departments as soon as it is safe to do so.”

— Tim Evans

Bird to reduce number of scooters

Bird temporarily will reduce its number of scooters in Indianapolis "to help discourage non-critical mobility during this time and to help flatten the COVID-19 curve," a Bird spokesperson said in a Saturday afternoon email to IndyStar.

"Our decision to reduce the fleet size is very fluid as the response to and recommendations regarding COVID-19 evolve," the spokesperson said.

Lime, Bird's shared-scooter competitor in Indianapolis, announced on Tuesday that it temporarily would remove all of its scooters.

— Ethan May

Pence to be tested for COVID-19

Vice President Mike Pence said during a Saturday news conference that he and his wife, Karen, would be tested for the coronavirus after a member of the VP's staff, who worked at the White House, tested positive.

Pence said he had not come in contact with the staffer.

Full story.

Cummins suspends production at engine plant

Columbus-based Cummins Inc. has temporarily suspended production at its mid-range engine plant in Walesboro.

The company said the two-week suspension is the result of customer Fiat Chrysler Automobiles shutting down its pickup truck assembly line until the end of March due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Cummins also acknowledged in a news release that other customers have reported lower commercial truck production rates in North America and plant shutdowns in Europe over the last several days.

Cummins expects that changes in its customers’ production plans will affect its first-quarter financial results. The company also noted there’s significant concern for the growing uncertainty about demand for the remainder of 2020.

“We have experienced leaders who have managed through several challenging situations in the past and we will successfully navigate through this difficult period,” Chairman and CEO Tom Linebarger said in a statement.

Cummins' first quarter 2020 earnings call is scheduled for April 28.

— Alexandria Burris

Helping homeless residents

Horizon House, an Indianapolis nonprofit that helps homeless residents, will begin taking new steps Monday in light of public health concerns about the coronavirus.

Members of the nonprofit's outreach team will begin visiting homeless encampments to screen people for symptoms of COVID-19. They also will bring food, blankets and other necessities.

Horizon House's facility at 1033 E. Washington Street will also begin screening residents who access services, such as hygiene kits, food and crisis support.

Mayor Joe Hogsett's office, meanwhile, announced it would provide hand-washing stations at several Downtown locations:

Wheeler’s Men’s Shelter on Market Street

Monument Circle

Central Library

Alabama Street, behind Roberts Park United Methodist Church's parking lot and near Needler’s grocery store

Cathedral Kitchen parking lot

Georgia Street, outside St. John's Catholic Church and outside Howl at the Moon

University Park

Lugar Plaza

— Ryan Martin

Federal prosecutor warning

U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler is cautioning Indiana residents to be mindful of criminals attempting to take advantage of people during the coronavirus pandemic.

"Hoosiers are experiencing many different emotions and concerns including the care of family and friends, furthering their children’s education and protecting their livelihoods," Minkler said in a press release. "Unfortunately, criminals are finding ways to use this unique time to take advantage of our elderly, sick and economically disadvantaged citizens by an array of fraudulent and illegal schemes."

He urged residents to report suspicious COVID-19 communications, such as emails or text messages, to the National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline at 866-720-5721 or disaster@leo.gov.

— Ryan Martin

Vera Bradley temporarily closes stores

Indiana-based Vera Bradley temporarily closed all of its full line and factory stores through April 2. Store associates will be compensated through that date.

Vera Bradley continues to serve its customers through its online store. The company also canceled its annual outlet sale, traditionally held in April in its hometown of Fort Wayne.

What happened Friday

On Friday, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by the Indiana State Department of Health rose to 79. The number of tests performed also continues to increase, up to 554.

The state also reported its third coronavirus-related death, a Marion County resident over the age of 60 who had been hospitalized.

Delaware County reported its first case of the coronavirus Friday, Indiana University announced a Bloomington student tested positive and Indianapolis Public Schools reported that a person connected with Schools Shortridge High School and the Center for Inquiry School 2 had tested positive.

In other news, officials announced that Indiana's primary election will be moved from May 5 to June 2.

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