Two Cases Confirmed in Indiana, Four Cases of COVID-19 Confirmed in Kentucky

All patients with confirmed COVID-19 are required to remain in isolation for at least 14 days.

Photo Courtesy of WDTV

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - The second presumptive positive case of COVID-19 has been confirmed by the Indiana State Department of Health. The patient is an adult who resides in Hendricks County, and is in isolation with mild symptoms and is not hospitalized at this time.

The patient has had recent travel to Boston in late February at attending the BioGen conference and has developed mild flu-like symptoms on March 2. More than a dozen COVID-19 cases nationwide have been tied to the conference, including a Marion County resident who was identified Friday as Indiana’s first COVID-19 case. That patient also remains in self-isolation with mild symptoms.

ISDH is working closely with the Hendricks and Marion County health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure that any close contacts of both patients are identified and monitored and that all infection control protocols are being followed.

“With the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the United States and the fact that we are a mobile society, this new case isn’t surprising, but we know it causes concern in the community,” said State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG. “I urge Hoosiers to continue to educate themselves about this illness and take common-sense precautions, but also to be aware that the vast majority of COVID-19 cases are mild in individuals without underlying medical conditions.”

Dr. Box asked Hoosiers who attended the BioGen conference to self-quarantine at home, monitor for symptoms and notify their local health department or a healthcare provider if they develop a cough, fever or shortness of breath. This guidance is consistent with information BioGen shared with conference participants.

David Stopperich, M.D., the Hendricks County health officer, said the county has prepared for possibilities like a COVID-19 case and assured residents that all necessary steps are being taken to reduce the spread of the illness.

“Our health department and the entire medical community of Hendricks County have been working in conjunction with schools, emergency management, and other organizations to develop plans to limit the spread of this disease,” Dr. Stopperich said. “I ask anyone who thinks they might have symptoms of COVID-19 to call a healthcare provider so they can be evaluated by phone before going to a medical facility. This will help further limit any spread of this virus.”

KENTUCKY 

(Frankfort, Ky.) - Kentucky Governor Andy Breshear announced Sunday afternoon that the state of Kentucky now has four confirmed cases of coronavirus. 

Beshear was joined by the State Public Health Commission Dr. Steven Stack and Acting Cabinet for Health and Family Service Secretary Eric Friedlander stating that the Kentucky State Lab confirmed three new cases of the novel Coronavirus, raising Kentucky’s total to four.

The three cases were based on tests run from Harrison, Fayette, and Jefferson Counties. All of the individuals are in isolation.

“Our epidemiologists are hard at work,” Beshear said, “but let me tell you that we are ready for this. I’ve been communicating and Dr. Stack is in constant communication with the cities of Lexington and Louisville, with their local health departments and with the judge-executive of Harrison County, the mayor of Cynthiana, and the head of WEDCO, the health department serving the Harrison County area.”

Beshear signed a state of emergency on Friday, after the first case of Coronavirus was confirmed, enabling the state to ensure they have all the tools they need at their disposal.

The Department of Operations Centers at all the local health departments and the State Emergency Operations Center remains activated at this time.

He also activated the commonwealth’s price-gouging laws, in collaboration with the attorney general’s office.

“Our consumer protection hotline exists to ensure that Kentuckians are not harmed by predatory pricing,” said Attorney General Daniel Cameron. “We will not tolerate businesses or individuals taking advantage of our citizens, and I encourage Kentuckians to immediately contact the hotline if they encounter suspected price gouging.”

Kentuckians should report suspected price gouging to the Consumer Protection Hotline at 888-432-9257.

All patients with confirmed COVID-19 are required to remain in isolation for at least 14 days and until specimens taken consecutively for two days test negative for COVID-19. Individuals who have recently visited an area under a Level 3 travel warning also asked to self-isolate for 14 days and notify their local health department or a healthcare provider if they develop symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.