The Indiana State Department of Health is reporting this morning that Bartholomew County still has 83 positive test results for COVID-19, with 118 cases in Decatur, 46 in Jennings, 57 in Jackson, 9 in Brown, 270 in Johnson and 63 in Shelby counties.

Bartholomew County has not had any more deaths from the disease, with four so far. Decatur County had two more deaths bringing their total to eight. Brown County has had only a single death. Shelby County has had two. Johnson County had five more deaths, bringing their total to 16. Neither Jackson nor Jennings county has had a death from the disease.

The state is reporting 6,907 positive test results for COVID-19 in Indiana and 300 deaths as of this morning’s update. That is almost double the annual average number of deaths from the seasonal flu in the state.

The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce is offering daily updates to area businesses trying to navigate the recently enacted CARES stimulus package.

Cindy Frey, president of the chamber, said the chamber began two weeks ago to have the daily webinars with Jon Myers, business advisor with Indiana Small Business Development Center.

During times of crisis, the center acts as an arm of the small business administration.

Frey said the most popular program for local small businesses has been the Paycheck Protection Program which lets businesses borrow from a bank to make payroll and other liabilities for up to four months.

The business has to agree to keep their employees on the payroll, and if they do the loan is forgivable.

You can get more information or sign up for the 9 a.m. sessions on the chamber website at columbusareachamber.com.

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.