The Bartholomew County Health Department and Columbus Regional Hospital are confirming a case of COVID-19 in Bartholomew County.

Dr. Brian Niedbalski, Bartholomew County’s health officer explains

The patient is in stable condition in an isolation room. Health officials say that it appears to be a community-transmitted case as the patient did not have a travel history or clinical contact link. Health officials are still gathering information to determine whether the patient traveled outside of the county recently, or whether the patient recently attended any large gatherings.

Dr. Slade Crowder with CRH explains what that means:

The hospital says that all staff members interacting with the patient are using personal protective equipment.

Crowder says that the county has done three to five tests through the Indiana State Department of Health and another 30 or so through a private vendor, which requires a three day turnaround. Most of those results are still pending.

Columbus Regional Hospital press conference audio:

Indiana Department of Health

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today reported four new presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, bringing to 19 the number of Hoosiers diagnosed through ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories.

The new cases involve residents of Hamilton and Marion counties and have been included on ISDH’s online dashboard at https://www.in.gov/coronavirus/. Eleven counties now have cases. The dashboard will be updated daily at 10 a.m. Cases are listed by county of residence.

Links to coronavirus/COVID-19 information

Bartholomew County Emergency Management Department/Bartholomew County COVID-19 Task Force https://bartholomew.in.gov/emergency-management#covid-19

Indiana Department of Health – Latest information from ISDH https://www.in.gov/isdh/28470.htm

Cummins Engine Company – Cummins employees can access company information HERE.

Columbus Regional Health – https://www.crh.org/news

Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation – https://www.bcscschools.org/COVID-19

City of Columbus –https://www.columbus.in.gov/covid-19-information/

Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives – https://resources.acce.org/crisismanagement

CDC – When and How to Wash Your Hands https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html

CDC – El lavado de las manos: Las manos limpias salvan vidas https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/esp/index.html

ISDH Online COVID-19 Case Tracker – https://www.in.gov/isdh/28470.htm

How to Prepare and Take Action for COVID-19 – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html

Jennings County School Corp. update

(Released on Friday, March 13th from Superintendent Teresa A. Brown)

We have spent the last few weeks learning about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and its possible  impact on our school community. This situation is very fluid and not only changes by the day, but by the hour. I have been working closely with our local Jennings County Health Department  to make proactive decisions to keep our students and staff healthy. Yesterday, I also met with the Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction and our School Board to receive input and provide updates on the COVID-19.

As I shared with you earlier this week, we have been  preparing, but not panicking, as we have been considering our next steps. After consulting with the Health Department and local health care professionals, we will be making the following changes within JCSC to respond proactively to COVID-19:

• The week of March 16-20, will be an e-Learning week of school.
• As you know March 23-27 is our Spring Break, which will still take place as planned.
• The week of March 30-April 3 will be an e-Learning week of school.
• When we are on e-Learning or closed, there will be no extra or co-curricular events or team practices/games.
• Latchkey and afterschool programs are also cancelled.
• All field trips will be suspended until further notice. As this situation is evolving, we
  may not be able to guarantee a full refund from agencies outside our control, but we will work to have as much money refunded as possible.
• • On Monday, March 16, parents or guardians can pick up any medicine needed
  between 8:00 am to 10:00 am in school offices.
• We will be providing 5 breakfasts and 5 lunches each e-Learning week to any child
  under 18 years of age. Parents/guardians will be able to pick up food on Thursdays,
  March 19 and April 2, from 11:00-1:00 pm at their child’s school or 5:00-6:00 pm at
  Jennings County High School. The pick-up will be a drive-through line outside the
  school offices. This will allow us to maintain time and temperature controls needed.

(On Thursday), Governor Holcomb approved 20 days, which can be used to waive our 180 instructional day requirement. We are going to use our 10 planned e-Learning Days for the two planned weeks. This will allow us to have the additional 20 waiver days, which can be used at a later time, if needed, and prevent us from having to extend the school year. While I understand these closures may create a hardship for our families, our goal is to keep our community safe.

Each one of us has a responsibility to protect those most vulnerable.

Indiana Department of Insurance update

The Indiana Department of Insurance is addressing concerns that facilities that provide services such as childcare and meals to the community will lose their liability insurance if they remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no reason to believe that any carrier would be or is denying coverage at this time.

Insurance companies cannot cancel coverage without filing an endorsement change in the terms of the policy with the Department. Commissioner Stephen W. Robertson stated that the Department will aggressively support those facilities if their commercial insurance carrier attempts to deny their liability insurance without approval. 

At this time, childcare facilities will maintain liability insurance if they choose to remain open and follow their normal protocol for children who may have an illness. Any facility that has a question about their coverage may contact the Department on Monday during normal business hours at 317-234-8582.

Indiana State Department of Health Saturday update

INDIANAPOLIS —The Indiana State Department of Health reported three new presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 Saturday, bringing to 15 the number of Hoosiers diagnosed through ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. All but one are adults.

The new cases involve residents of Marion, LaPorte and Wells counties and have been included on ISDH’s online dashboard at in.gov/coronavirus. The dashboard is updated daily at 10 a.m. Other counties with positive cases are Adams, Boone, Hendricks, Howard, Johnson, Noble and St. Joseph.

ISDH continues to work with local health departments to identify close contacts of the existing patients and ensure that infection-control protocols, such as self-isolation and monitoring for symptoms, are implemented.

Other developments:

• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated its nursing home visitation guidance. This guidance requires facilities to restrict all visitors and non-essential healthcare personnel, except for compassionate care situations such as end-of-life situations.
• The CDC has posted new guidance for schools and childcare facilities, including a decision tree to help school officials reduce the risk of illness.
• The ISDH lab continues to prioritize testing for individuals who are at high risk.
  • Individuals who do not meet those criteria are encouraged to consult their healthcare provider about private testing. Most people with COVID-19 will develop mild symptoms and do not need to be tested.
• The ISDH call center is experiencing extremely high call volume.
  • The ISDH general call center number is 317-233-7125. Calls after 8 p.m. should go to 317-233-1325 and will be answered by an on-call epidemiologist. Call center staff will not offer personal medical advice or provide test results. If you are sick, consult your healthcare provider.
• Hoosiers are encouraged to sign up at in.gov/coronavirus to receive alerts and the latest updated guidance as the outbreak evolves.

About COVID-19 COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a novel, or new, coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing COVID-19 is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold.

• Human coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through:
• Respiratory droplets released into the air by coughing and sneezing;
• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands;
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands; and
• Rarely, fecal contamination.

The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it. A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms to protect others from the risk of infection.

Visit the Indiana State Department of Health at http://www.in.gov/isdh/ or follow us on Twitter at @StateHealthIN and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/StateHealthIN.

Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corp. update

After gathering information and meeting with state and local officials, FRHC administration has determined that our best course of action is to follow the most recent recommendations from the Indiana State Department of Health and Governor Holcomb’s Covid-19 Community Task Force which focuses on continued promotion of social isolation.

Our goal is to keep students staff and community members safe during this time of uncertainty.

This will best be accomplished by limiting all students daily face to face interactions.   Upon completion of Spring Break the FRHC campus will remain closed to students on Monday March 23^rd and Tuesday March 24^th as teachers prepare for extended e-learning days.  Students will receive instruction from home through our e-learning platform from Wednesday March 25^th to Sunday April 5^th.   Administration will then assess any new Covid-19 developments and determine the best course of action from that point on.  Use of these e-learning days will also require us to cancel all spring athletic practices and events until we return to the building on April 6^th.

Please keep in mind that this situation is changing by the day and modifications may be needed.  If new guidance emerges we will communicate any changes just as soon as we can.

Additional information will be provided on our district home page by Wednesday March 18^th.  This information will include a plan for iPad distribution for those that do not currently have access to their devices.  You will also be able to find links to helpful information about Covid-19 including travel updates and hygiene recommendations.

At Flat Rock-Hawcreek the safety and security of our students is top priority and we need your help.  Please explain to your children the importance of keeping our school and community safe and remind them that to date we have had no confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Bartholomew County and these steps are being taken as a precaution.

Foundation for Youth announcement

Foundation For Youth (FFY) has spent the past few weeks researching and monitoring the rapidly changing COVID-19 coronavirus health issue in our region and across the state.

We’ve been thoughtful at every step and consulted with many who are invested in both the education and the well-being of our children. We have taken important and recommended precautionary measures including increased handwashing stations, and signage.

We have requested that those families who have traveled recently to or from CDC-2 and 3 level countries impose a self-quarantine. We have also been working closely with our school leadership, families, health department, and elected officials to plan for what the CDC suggested may be a required change from our daily routines.

We are committed to standing with those partners and believe that the best course of action to protect our Youth, and our Community is to enforce a closure at our 405 Hope Ave. and 12454 Youth Camp Facilities through April 5th. We will continue to monitor the situation and health department recommendations.

This decision was made thoughtfully and with the support of a variety of district and community leaders. We will make every effort to keep you informed, and return to normal programming as soon as possible. Please monitor our website and social media as the situation progresses at www.foundationforyouth.com or call 812.348.4558

FFY has not identified any cases of Coronavirus (Covid-19) within our programs. However, it is important to understand that FFY’s reach within the community extends to every single school in Bartholomew County, Flat Rock/Hawcreek, and schools from surrounding counties. Each year we have intentional interactions more than 150,000 times with our participants and volunteers. We provide programs for every age of youth and many older adults who may be more susceptible to severe illness if they contracted the virus. Because of the care we take to provide programs for so many, we cannot ignore our responsibility to the health and wellness of those individuals or the way large congregations of people help to spread the virus.

The Indiana Department of Health, and CDC Federally, do not believe children are at serious risk from the disease, but we must be mindful of the population that is at higher risk and the ways our children interact within the larger community. FFY is grateful to each and every one of you and our community partners as we have navigated this challenging situation together.

Let us not forget to act with precaution and be careful with our own health. We will continue to have challenges in front of us, and I know that if we can meet these challenges together.

Mill Race Center announcement

Mill Race Center, a community center that provides programming for people 50 and up, will be closed for all senior programs and services until April 6th, 2020.

This action is being taken as a result of a city-wide closure of public buildings in an effort to minimize the impact and the spread of the Coronavirus 2019, (COVID 19). It has been determined that people over 60, especially those with underlying health conditions, are most at-risk, and so the management and board of directors have made the decision to suspend programming in the interest of public health. All questions can be directed to Dan Mustard, Executive Director.

The CRH Fitness Center and CRH Fitness Center classes will be closed until April 6, 2020.
Our Meals on Wheels program will continue as normal. If you would like to be added to this program call the Mill Race Center office.

For more information or questions contact Mill Race Center at (812)376-9241 or visit www.millracecenter.org.

Bartholomew County COVID-19 Coalition Press Release

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the State of Indiana and Bartholomew County, the COVID-19 Community Task Force met today in response to Governor Holcomb’s most recent recommendations.

The COVID-19 Task Force prioritizes the health and safety of our community, workforce and citizens while also playing an active role in supporting local health officials and government leaders as they work to contain the virus. Through that lens, we will continue to make decisions using the latest science-based information and with careful consideration, understanding that any actions taken impact our entire community.

Under the direction of Dr. Brian Niedbalski, Bartholomew County Health Director and Columbus Regional Health, we are preparing to respond quickly to any emerging situation, leveraging the considerable insights gained from observations of other communities across the nation. This is a proactive measure to act early and assertively in an effort to reduce not only the number of potential cases of COVID-19 our community sees, but to also significantly reduce the flow and mitigate as much as possible a swell of cases occurring in our area.

This recommendation comes from the informed perspective and guidance of not only our local health experts, but those on a national level. Communities are being charged to proactively respond with concerted measures in an effort to best and most effectively protect their residents and preserve medical resources for the greatest need.

Anyone with concerns about symptoms of COVID-19 or exposure should contact the COVID-19 Resource Call Center 812-379-4449 BEFORE seeking medical attention. Those experiencing a medical emergency should call 911.

As a task force, we are collectively recommending the following actions, effective immediately for our community:

• Non-essential gatherings must be limited to no more than 250 people. This includes any event or gathering of people who are in one room or a single space at the same time, such as cafeterias, churches, stadiums, meeting and conference rooms, auditoriums and the like. This guidance applies to professional, social, community and similar other gatherings. Faith-based communities are recommended to suspend all in-person services and large group gatherings from now through Saturday, April 4.
• Bartholomew County School Corporation will suspend all school-related activities beginning Monday, March 16. Schools will be closed and eLearning days utilized from Monday, March 23 through Friday, April 3.
• The City of Columbus will close the following public facilities: The Commons, Donner Center, Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena, Columbus Gymnastics Center and The Cal Brand Meeting Room within City Hall.

These facilities will close at the end of business today and will follow the school schedule and reopen Monday, April 6.  All other City services and offices will remain open to the public and continue to serve the community. We encourage the public to call or email City staff and departments to conduct business.

• Child care and adult day care facilities should institute social distancing and minimize large gatherings. Temporary suspension of operations should be done in consultation with the Family and Social Services and ISDH in the instance of documented community spread.
• Individuals over 60 years of age or those with a known underlying health issue such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease should limit their public exposure. Whenever possible, friends and family should arrange to provide food and other essential items.
• Those who run senior centers and congregate meal services should consider suspending congregate meals services and arrange for home delivery
• Businesses should consider utilizing telework policies, if available.

It is our intent to continue to provide the latest information throughout this evolving situation.

For information on the preventative measures in place by individual entities or for more information, following the below links.

Indiana Department of Health – Latest information from ISDH https://www.in.gov/isdh/28470.htm

Cummins Engine Company – Cummins employees can access company information HERE.

Columbus Regional Health – https://www.crh.org/news

Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation – https://www.bcscschools.org/COVID-19

City of Columbus – https://www.columbus.in.gov/covid-19-information/

Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives – https://resources.acce.org/crisismanagement

CDC – When and How to Wash Your Hands https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html

CDC – El lavado de las manos: Las manos limpias salvan vidas https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/esp/index.html

ISDH Online COVID-19 Case Tracker – https://www.in.gov/isdh/28470.htm

Columbus Parks and Recreation Department press release

The City of Columbus, following guidance from the Indiana Governor’s office and the Indiana Department of Health, and in support of the community strategy to mitigate and slow the spread of the virus, will close the following facilities to the public:

• The Commons
• Donner Center
• Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena
• Columbus Gymnastics Center
• Park Operations Service Center
• Lincoln Park – Softball Diamonds
• Clifty Park – Softball and Baseball Diamonds
• Blackwell Park – Soccer Fields

These facilities will close at the end of business today and will reopen Monday, April 6. All other Parks and Recreation services and offices will remain open to the public and continue to serve the community.

If you or your child is signed up for a Parks and Recreation program that occurs during this time period, you will receive a separate communication from a Parks staff member.
We encourage the public to call or email Park staff to conduct business. For more information or to register for future activities, visit columbusparksandrecreation.com.

Bartholomew County Sheriff press release

Beginning Saturday, March 14, 2020, 7 a.m., the Bartholomew County Jail is suspending all visitation until further notice.  Only attorneys, DCS and those with court orders will be permitted in the jail.

The money Kiosk for inmate commissary funds, which is located in BCJ’s front lobby, is closed until further notice.  Money can still be placed in inmate accounts online at accesscorrections.com or by phone: 866-345-1884.  The company accepts Visa and other charge cards in lieu of cash.  If you have any questions, you may contact the company directly.

Only essential items (keys, wallets, etc.) will be released on weekends until further notice.

Inmates are being screened per state and national procedures.  Separate housing has been made available for new incoming inmates.

Security service will remain available at the Bartholomew County Courthouse.

Bartholomew County Sheriff Matthew A. Myers has been in contact with state and national officials including Congressman Greg Pence who is in Washington D.C. monitoring the situation and who briefed the Sheriff within the past two hours.

“BCSO is working with the courts to implement alternative means (e.g. video court) and will be cutting back on transports to eliminate possible exposure to our staff and inmates, said Bartholomew County Jail Commander John Martoccia.

Work Crews have been suspended until further notice.

Chief Deputy Major Chris Lane says that BCSO’s Road Patrol and Jail Divisions have a plan for staff shortages up to 40%.

“Our leadership team has been very proactive in providing a plan that will work for our agency and for citizens of Bartholomew County”, said Sheriff Myers.

“The crisis that we are seeing, will not give criminals in Bartholomew County a “pass card”.  “I assure you, we will continue with all Sheriff’s Office and Jail services”, added Sheriff Myers.

Employees have been given proper protective gear.

“We are evaluating what services require an on scene police presence verses those that can be handled by alternative means such as by phone or online”, said Chief Deputy Major Chris Lane.

The city and county are working together and we are in constant contact with state and national health officials.  This virus is moving quickly but please remain calm – we have measures in place to continue law enforcement services to the residents of Bartholomew County.

Bartholomew Consolidated Schools press release

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the State of Indiana and Bartholomew County, BCSC met today with the COVID-19 Community Task Force in response to Governor Holcomb’s most recent recommendations.

The COVID-19 Task Force prioritizes the health and safety of our community, workforce and citizens while also playing an active role in supporting local health officials and government leaders as they work to contain the virus. Through that lens, they will continue to make decisions using the latest science-based information and with careful consideration, understanding that any actions taken impact our entire community.

Under the direction of Dr. Brian Niedbalski, Bartholomew County Health Director and Columbus Regional Health, they are preparing to respond quickly to any emerging situation, leveraging the considerable insights gained from observations of other communities across the nation.

Based on the COVID-19 Community Task Force’s recommendations:

• BCSC will suspend all school-related activities beginning Monday, March 16.
• Schools will be closed and eLearning days utilized from Monday, March 23 through Friday, April 3.

We will provide updated specifics on our school closure by Wednesday, March 18.

*SAT Testing will still be occurring on Saturday morning as scheduled.

For eLearning information and assistance, visit the BCSC eLearning site.

Governor’s Holcomb’s Friday announcement

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced additional steps the state is taking to help Hoosiers who are impacted by the novel coronavirus COVID-19 to reduce the spread of the virus. As of noon today, the state has 12 Hoosiers who have tested presumptively positive for COVID-19.

Under Gov. Holcomb’s direction:

• All state agencies are evaluating rules and regulations that should be suspended or modified to assist Hoosiers during this public emergency.
• Hoosiers who need to renew their Medicaid eligibility will get more time to complete the process. No services will be interrupted.
• Family Social Services Administration (FSSA) has asked federal officials to approve a request to temporarily waive the renewal process for Hoosiers who need SNAP or TANF benefits.
• Hoosiers on Medicaid will not pay co-pays for COVID-19 testing. More information is here.
• Hoosiers on Medicaid can get 90-day refills of medication for chronic conditions.
• State officials are collaborating with the Indiana Department of Education to discuss solutions regarding student assessments and meals for children whose schools have closed. DOE issued this guidance for schools regarding the 20-day waiver of the required 180 instructional days that Gov. Holcomb announced on Thursday.
• FSSA has given daycares specific guidance to protect children in their care. The latest guidance is here.
• Community meals for senior citizens are being converted to home meal deliveries. Local partners, such as Area Agencies on Aging, have been given funding flexibility to cover the added costs of delivering meals. Thousands of meals are being served daily.
• Every community has a child care resource and referral agency to connect parents with local child care options and provide referrals for support. Families can find their local Child Care Resource and Referral by calling 800-299-1627 or by consulting this map.

Gov. Holcomb is in constant contact with federal officials and the Indiana State Department of Health to monitor the situation and redirect state resources as needed as the state works to slow the spread of the virus.

A car-train collision near Mill Race Park today, ended without any injuries.

Columbus police report that the car tried to stop for the train at about 12:38 p.m. this afternoon, but instead rolled into the path of the train. The driver was able to exit the vehicle without assistance.

Traffic was tied up near Indianapolis Road and Lindsey Street while the crash was cleaned up.

The Indiana High School Athletic Association is calling off the state basketball championship tournament.

According to an announcement from the governing body, due to the number of schools closing, it has become apparent the IHSAA boys basketball tournament series cannot be completed as scheduled. Subsequently, the boys basketball tournament is postponed immediately.

Saturday’s girls gymnastics state finals at Worthen Arena in Muncie will continue as scheduled. However, there will be no spectators in attendance. Competition will begin at 1 p.m.