Gov. Eric Holcomb, state health officials and other leaders discussed Indiana’s response to the novel coronavirus at a press conference Monday.
“This is a somewhat somber circumstance that we’re all called together,” Holcomb said.
Indiana’s first COVID-19 death
Indiana’s first death from COVID-19 was announced at the press conference. Ram Yeleti, Community Health Network chief physician executive, said the patient was over 60 and had a preexisting health condition, putting the person in the high-risk group.
The patient had a significant other who was also infected with the virus, Yeleti said. The two couldn’t be together because of the risk of worsening the other’s condition. He said a nurse stayed with the patient until the person died so they wouldn’t be alone.
“This is the beginning, and this is real,” Yeleti said.
Restaurants, bars closing in-house operations
Holcomb announced a statewide directive requiring all bars, nightclubs and restaurants to shut down in-house dining options. It limits food transportation to takeout and delivery options only.
Yeleti said people need to practice self-distancing and avoid large gatherings. He said he encourages young, healthy people to stay home if they feel sick and to quarantine themselves. He said no one has a vaccine or medicine to combat the coronavirus.
“You’re not gonna get sick, but you will get someone else sick,” Yeleti said.
In a White House press conference Monday, President Donald Trump recommended Americans avoid gatherings larger than 10 people for the next 15 days.
State to receive more tests for the coronavirus
State Health Commissioner Kristina Box said the Indiana State Department of Health laboratories received more tests last week and are expecting more this week.
Box said many people are concerned about whether they need to be tested. She said many people should just self-quarantine and stay away from others, such as their friends and extended family.
“Please, stay home,” Box said.
Those who need tests are people who have severe enough symptoms to warrant hospitalization and those who are in high-risk groups, such as people with compromised immune symptoms and the elderly, Box said. She said health care providers are also prioritized for testing because they need to stay home if they’re sick.
Community spread arrives in Indiana
Box said health providers in Indiana are beginning to see community spread. This is spread of COVID-19 that can’t be traced back to out-of-state conferences or out-of-country travel.
“We are at war with COVID-19, and we will win this war,” Holcomb said.
