Indiana’s stay-at-home order was extended Friday for two more weeks as the state’s number of coronavirus-related topped 100 with the anticipated illness peak still weeks away.
Gov. Eric Holcomb announced the extension for the order that first took effect March 25 and was set to expire Tuesday.
Holcomb has repeatedly urged residents to avoid unnecessary trips outside their home and to remain at least six feet from those they don’t live with to help stem the virus spread.
The Lake County Commissioners announced Thursday that it is extending the closure of government buildings through April 17, “with a return to regular work of Monday, April 20,” according to the most recent declaration of emergency.
Commissioner Michael Repay, D-3rd, said the commissioners were hoping the governor would act sooner. But, the commissioners decided to act to give employees and residents time to adjust and plan, Repay said.
“We were talking through different scenarios, and we expected him to do it sooner,” Repay said. “I’m doubtful the governor made the decision overnight. I’m sure he’s been thinking about it all week, but we decided to act sooner.”
The Porter County Board of Commissioners on Friday extended the closure of county offices through April 20 “consistent with the planned update of the Governor’s stay-at-home executive order,” according to a press release.
Along with extending the closure of government buildings, Porter County will continue to work at reduced staffing levels and allow employees to work from home, conducting essential public meetings virtually and live streaming meetings on the Porter County Government Facebook page, according to the press release.
“As we begin to experience a surge in positive COVID-19 test results in Porter County it is critical that our citizens and businesses not get complacent. We urge everyone continue to adhere to the Social Distancing Requirements of the Governor’s Stay At Home Executive Order,” according to the press release.
The deaths of 24 more people with confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, were reported Friday by state health officials.
The new deaths increased Indiana’s statewide deaths to 102, while another 408 confirmed cases of the virus boosted the statewide total to 3,437, the Indiana State Department of Health said.
Twenty-four more people have died in Indiana from coronavirus-related illnesses, boosting the state’s virus death toll past 100 while its confirmed cases topped 3,400, state health officials said Friday.
The new deaths increased Indiana’s statewide deaths to 102 for COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, while another 408 confirmed cases of the virus boosted the state’s total to 3,437, following corrections to the previous day’s total, the Indiana State Department of Health said.
The department has said that the additional deaths it reports each day occurred over multiple days. Those deaths are reported once there is a confirmed positive test for COVID-19 in each case.
Marion County, the home of Indianapolis, had 126 of the 408 new coronavirus cases reported Friday. Indianapolis and the seven counties surrounding it account for 44% of Indiana’s COVID-19 deaths and more than 60% of its confirmed cases. Marion County alone has had 33 COVID-19 deaths, or 32% of Indiana’s total, and 1,429 confirmed cases that account for 42% of the state’s total.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. Older adults and people with existing health problems are among those particularly susceptible to more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover.
Alexandra Kukulka conributed.
