Indiana now has 15,012 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 being reported, an increase of 634 cases since Saturday’s total. The state has had 813 deaths as of Sunday afternoon’s update, an increase of 29 deaths from the previous day, according to the state health department.

Bartholomew County has 206 confirmed cases, an increase of 31 cases since Friday. There have been 10 deaths so far from the coronavirus in Bartholomew County an increase of two since last week. 1,447 tests have been done on Bartholomew County residents with 1,084 negative results and 121 tests still pending.

In other area counties, Decatur has 194 cases and has had 27 deaths, an increase of 3 deaths since last week. Jennings 72 cases and 1 death, Jackson 114 cases and no deaths, Brown 15 cases and 1 death, Johnson 533 cases and 51 deaths — an increase of 3 since last week, and Shelby 180 cases and 6 deaths.

Mental health advocates say that we should all be taking care of ourselves during this stressful time. Nicki Vreeland with Columbus Regional Health’s Healthy Communities mental health action team explains that it is important to take steps now to protect your mental health.

Vreeland suggests setting a regular schedule, eating healthy foods, and giving yourself grace for not having a perfect system right now.

You can hear more from Vreeland in her video posted by the Bartholomew County COVID-19 Task Force on our Facebook page.

Local Resources

Family Service Inc.:
812-266-0575, 9a-4p, 812-372-3745 to leave a message

Centerstone Crisis Line:
800-344-8802

National Suicide Hotline:
800-273-8255, text and social media options available

INDOT says that you will see delays on State Road 11 near Garden City next week, as crews put beams in place for the railroad overpass heading into downtown Columbus.

On Wednesday and Thursday you can expect intermittent closures will take place for up to 20 minutes at a time while the beams are set in place over State Road 11. Those closures are planned between noon and 8 in the evening each day, with a break from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Law enforcement will be on site to direct traffic and message boards will be in place to alert motorists.

Beams will be set over the railroad tracks earlier in the week, but no road closures will be necessary.

The new overpass is set to open late this year. In the coming months, you will see lane closures on the Third Street bridge in May, a full closure of State Road 11 in June and lane restrictions on State Road 46 this fall.

Milestone Contractors is the contractor for the $30 million interchange project.

Indiana now has 13,039 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 being reported, an increase of 612 cases since Wednesday’s total, The state has had 706 deaths as of this afternoon’s update, an increase of 45 deaths from the previous day, according to the state health department.

Bartholomew County has 163 confirmed cases, an increase of 17 cases since Wednesday. There have been 8 deaths so far from the coronavirus in Bartholomew County, an increase of one.

In other area counties, Decatur has 182 cases and has had 22 deaths. Jennings 67 cases and 1 death, Jackson 100 cases and no deaths, Brown 15 cases and 1 death, Johnson 478 cases and 43 deaths, and Shelby 145 cases and 6 deaths.

State expands drive-thru testing criteria

The Indiana State Department of Health is conducting drive-thru clinics at areas in need throughout the state.

To increase our testing of Hoosiers who are sick, starting tomorrow we are expanding who can be tested at our drive-thru clinics to include healthcare workers, first responders, or essential workers and someone in your household is symptomatic. If you are not a healthcare worker, first responder, or essential worker but you are at higher risk due to your age, weight, or underlying health conditions and are symptomatic, you also can visit a drive-thru clinic for testing.

One test per vehicle, Indiana residents only.

To get your results from a drive-thru test, if you were tested at an ISDH drive-thru site after April 13, you can visit https://eportal.isdh.in.gov/COVID. Enter the number you were given onsite to access your results.

Who needs a COVID-19 test?

Indiana State Department of Health says healthcare providers may order a test for any patient who needs one based on their clinical evaluation. ISDH will continue to focus on testing our highest-risk Hoosiers so that we can continue to quickly provide results needed to protect the most vulnerable residents.

Those individuals include:

• • Anyone who is admitted to the hospital whose physician is concerned that their symptoms are consistent with COVID-19.
• Symptomatic healthcare workers (inpatient, outpatient, nursing home, and other long-term service facilities) and first responders who provide direct care to at-risk patients.
• Symptomatic long-term care facility residents or staff who have direct contact with patients.
• Persons experiencing homelessness.
• Patients who expire with suspected COVID-19 symptoms.
• Patients and staff at correctional facilities
• Patients age 65 and older with symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
• Patients with underlying health conditions with symptoms of COVID-19, including lung or heart disease, or who are immunocompromised, obese or pregnant women.

If you still have questions,  call the ISDH COVID-19 call center at 877-826-0011.

For additional information, visit https://coronavirus.in.gov.