The Indiana State Department of Health  reports this morning that Bartholomew County has 83 positive COVID-19 test results, with 107 in Decatur, 45 in Jennings, 53 in Jackson, 9 in Brown, 248 in Johnson and 61 in Shelby counties.

Bartholomew County has not had any more deaths from the disease, with four so far and Decatur County is holding steady with six. Brown County has had only a single death. Shelby County added a single death, for two total and there have been 11 in Johnson County, an increase of three. Neither Jackson nor Jennings county has had a death from the disease.

The state is reporting 6,351 positive test results for COVID-19 in the state and 245 deaths as of this morning’s update.

A Bartholomew County Jail inmate and a correctional officer have tested positive for COVID-19. Sheriff Matt Myers says that neither have shown signs of sickness and both are being closely monitored in quarantine.

The inmate who tested positive has only been around one other inmate. And while the second inmate, has tested negative for the virus they have also been placed in quarantine as a proactive safety measure.

The corrections officer is a transport driver and it is believed the officer contracted the disease from the inmate.

Columbus Regional Health says the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is still likely weeks away in our community.

Kelsey DeClue, spokeswoman for Columbus Regional Health explains in  the most recent video from the local COVID-19 task force that the surge likely won’t hit here until late April or early May.  CRH has been preparing for weeks for the incoming patients.

DeClue stressed the importance of doing what you can to reduce that surge.

DeClue stressed the importance of reducing that surge of patients by keeping up with social and physical distancing and just staying at home.

You can watch the entire video featuring DeClue and Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop below.

The number of deaths from COVID-19 remain unchanged in Bartholomew County and most surrounding counties, while the number of cases continue to climb.

According to the Indiana State Department of Health, Bartholomew County has had four deaths from the disease, unchanged from Tuesday morning’s update. Johnson has had 8 deaths, an increase of 1, and Shelby County has its first death. Decatur and Brown counties remain unchanged, with 6 in Decatur and 1 death in Brown.  There have been no deaths in Jackson or Jennings counties.

Statewide there are 5,943 positive results and have been 203 deaths, an increase of 33 since Tuesday morning’s tally.

There are 66 confirmed cases in Bartholomew County, an increase of 11 confirmed since yesterday. According to the county health department, there have been 666 total tests of county residents, of which 460 have been negative and 85 are still pending.

Decatur County has 99 cases, Jennings 42, Jackson 46, Brown 9, Johnson 230 and Shelby County 56.

Marion County leads the state with 58 deaths and 2,290 cases.

Lincoln Central Neighborhood Family Center and YES Cinema are selling yard signs to show your support local health care workers and to provide financial support to the shuttered theater and its workers.

The loss of revenue including ticket and concession sales, on-screen advertising and special events is putting the downtown Columbus theater in a precarious position, according to supporters. 18 part-time workers are also without incomes during the mandated closure.

The yard signs are $15 and feature a big heart with Thank You and #columbuscares to show support for health care workers. Proceeds will support the theater and its employees. You can order the signs to be delivered to your home at  www.lcnfc.org/columbuscares/