Ben Tobin and David J. Kim

Courier Journal

The first of two confirmed coronavirus patients in Floyd County, Indiana, is an employee at Caesars Southern Indiana casino, the company confirmed on Monday.

“The Floyd County Health department informed us yesterday that one of our Caesars Team Members has tested positive for COVID-19," the company said. "We are working closely with the health department to address this matter."

The company also noted that it is "in the process of tracing the individual’s movements and already began notifying those who are determined to have had sufficient contact with this person to require self-quarantine."

Indiana coronavirus update:Get the latest information here

It is unclear how many people have been asked to isolate themselves. A Caesars Southern Indiana casino spokeswoman did not provide that detail when asked.

This news comes one day after the Floyd County Health Department announced its first COVID-19 case. The patient, an adult, is being treated at Baptist Health Floyd. On Monday, the department announced a second patient.

According to the Floyd County Health Department, the individual recently attended these events and places:

Northside Christian Church on March 8

Indiana high school Boys Basketball Sectionals at Seymour High School on March 7

Color Guard Competition at Floyd Central High School on March 7

High School wrestling match at Floyd Central on March 1

Caesar’s Casino of Southern Indiana on the following dates:

Feb. 25-29 and March 3-7

As ordered by the Indiana Gaming Commission for all casinos, Caesars Southern Indiana casino closed at 6 a.m. Monday morning and will remain closed for two weeks.

Once the Floyd health department confirmed the first patient had attended the boys basketball sectionals at Seymour High School, the news surfaced in a group chat of Floyd Central players.

The Highlanders played March 6 in the semifinals and won the title game on March 7.

“I don’t know who the person is and who has it,” said Floyd Central junior Jake Heidbreder. “It’s a possibility (the patient) came and congratulated one of us or something. I’m just trying to stay positive and not worry about it that much.”

Heidbreder said he’s “feeling perfectly fine” and hasn’t seen any symptoms of COVID-19. Highlanders coach Todd Sturgeon said none of his players have alerted him of any symptoms and that he won’t worry too much about the the what-ifs of the patient coming in contact with the team.

“I just think we all need to be taking precautions right now and be working under the assumption that we’ve been in contact with someone and try to stay away from others and watch ourselves over the next couple of weeks and not be going to public places,” Sturgeon said.

Floyd Central wrestling coach Brandon Sisson said although the health department said the patient attended a high school wrestling match March 1, it was a youth tournament. The Indiana High School Athletic Association state finals were Feb. 21 and 22, meaning the high school season was over.

The tournament was sponsored by Floyd Wrestling Club, which is sanctioned by the Indiana State Wrestling Association. Nancy Campbell, president of the Floyd Wrestling Club, said 320 wrestlers, ranging in age from preschool to freshmen and sophomores in high school from Southern Indiana and Northern Kentucky, participated in the tournament.

Campbell said she notified the wrestling association as soon as she got the news Sunday. She and the club have been urging those who attended the event to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, use precaution and practice social distancing.

“This is March 16. That day is March 1. So hopefully, if anybody hasn’t seen signs or symptoms, they’re fine,” she said. “But it’s the unknown that makes you more concern.”

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Contact Ben Tobin at bjtobin@gannett.com and 502-582-4181 or follow on Twitter @TobinBen. Contact David Kim at dkim@courierjournal.com or follow on Twitter @_DavidJKim Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: subscribe.courier-journal.com.