COVID-19 Coverage

Governor announces gradual opening starting May 4

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Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has unveiled a list of what can start opening May 4, May 8 and May 11. More details can be found in the full report. GUIDELINES FOR ALL HOOSIERS
• Hoosiers 65 and over and those with high-risk health conditions should remain at home whenever possible. This is the population that is most vulnerable to the coronavirus
• Recommend that residents wear face coverings in public settings. Residents also should continue to practice social distancing and good hygiene
• Social gatherings of 25 people may take place following the CDC social distancing guidelines.

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2 vehicles damaged by shots; police seek info on truck

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Richmond Police Department officers were dispatched to a report of shots fired late Wednesday and are now seeking assistance with the case. Shortly before 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, third-shift patrol officers were dispatched to the 1500 block of South J Street in reference to shots fired. An officer already near the area reported hearing the shots as well as several citizens, according to Capt. Curt Leverton of RPD’s Investigative Services Division. Two vehicles in the area were damaged and officers did recover evidence at the scene. No injuries were reported.

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April 29: Reid up to 65 cases; 750 tests submitted

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As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 29, Reid Health has 65 lab-confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in its eight-county service area. The hospital currently has 44 patients in containment areas. Reid has now submitted 750 tests for processing. Reid recently stopped providing negative test results because of a relatively high number of false negatives being show in studies. As of April 29, Indiana has 17,182 cases.

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Shots fired call prompts SWAT response

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Richmond Police Department received a call shortly after 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 28, reporting that shots had been fired in the 1400 block of University Boulevard on Richmond’s north side. First-shift patrol officers were dispatched to that area, and a nearby officer also reported hearing shots said Capt. Curt Leverton of RPD’s Investigative Services Division. Officers and SWAT responded to the area and located a man, who was later transported to Reid Health for a mental evaluation. Damage or evidence of shots fired have not been located as of this time. No arrests have been made and the investigation will continue.

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Richmond, Connersville, Muncie getting COVID-19 test sites next week

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Richmond and Connersville’s Indiana National Guard armory sites will be among those open for public COVID-19 testing in the next week. About 100,000 Hoosiers showing symptoms of COVID-19 or those who’ve had close contact with someone ill can be tested in the next month, thanks to a new program announced during Tuesday’s daily state COVID-19 update. OptumServe Health Services, powered by Logistics Health, Inc., will open 20 sites across Indiana next week to begin expanded testing in Indiana National Guard armories. Each site will be open for at least eight hours per day Mondays-Fridays to offer nasopharyngeal swabs. Those needing a test are to go to the Optum web portal to self-report symptoms using the online screening tool and to schedule an appointment.

COVID-19 Coverage

Mask donations sought for Wayne County public giveaway; free meals offered; hunger fundraiser planned

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Wayne County Health Department will distribute cloth masks to local small businesses and the general public from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 2 at its new office, 100 S. Fifth St., Richmond. The health department’s supply will be handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis, and is intended to supply masks to the public that will soon be returning to work. Everyone is welcome, and the event will close when the supply is depleted. Anyone would like to donate cloth masks for the event is asked to contact Dan Burk or Angela McDaniel at the health department by calling (765) 973-9245. Free meals in Western Wayne
Feeding Western Wayne aims to deliver 25 extra meals Thursday night in the Western Wayne area.

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April 28: Indiana COVID-19 cases top 900

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As of April 28, Indiana has had 901 deaths related to COVID-19, with a total of 16,588 positive cases. A total of 87,181 tests have been administered. There have been 650 new positive cases between April 24 and April 27 in the state. As of noon April 28, Reid has 62 lab-confirmed positive cases in its eight-county service area in eastern Indiana and western Ohio. Reid has 45 patients in containment areas in the hospital and has submitted a total of 705 tests for processing.

COVID-19 Coverage

April 24: Reid at 57 positives, 38 patients in containment areas

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As of 5 p.m. April 24, Reid Health has 57 lab-confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, 38 patients in containment areas at the Richmond hospital, and a total of 599 tests submitted for processing. As of April 24, Indiana has a total of 13,680 positive cases of COVID-19. The state has had a total of 741 COVID deaths. A total of 75,553 tests have been reported to Indiana State Department of Health.

COVID-19 Coverage

April 24: Indiana banks eager to help with new PPP loan funds

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Supplied by Indiana Bankers Association

On Friday, April 24, President Trump signed into law legislation providing for $310 billion in new funding for the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program. PPP loans allow small businesses to continue to pay employees throughout the COVID-19 shutdown. Initial funding of $350 billion, made available earlier this month, was depleted within two weeks. This second round of funding will be made available on Monday, April 27, and is expected to run out faster than the first round. The Indiana banking community stands ready to work hard to help small businesses that missed out on initial PPP loan funds.

COVID-19 Coverage

Random 5,000 Hoosiers to be tested for COVID to gather data for decisions

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Approximately 5,000 Hoosiers from across Indiana, and representative of multiple demographics, are being invited to participate in a testing collaboration between Indiana State Department of Health and the Richard M. Fairbanks IU School of Medicine. Testing will be used to study the novel coronavirus and its spread, and how it is impacting Hoosier communities. This testing differs in that it does not necessarily include individuals who are symptomatic. Those selected to participate were chosen from a randomized sampling from Indiana’s database of tax filers, co-filers, and dependents. Testing is limited to only those selected and the governor’s coronavirus task force encourages everyone selected to participate.