Governor Eric J. Holcomb today signed Executive Order 20-30 to extend the public health emergency for an additional 30 days to July 4th.

The Governor also signed Executive Order 20-31 which allows older youth to remain in foster care beyond the age of 18 for the duration of the public health emergency.

This will allow them to continue to receive education, workforce training, and health benefits.

Executive Order 20-31 also extends the time period to renew professional licenses, certificates, or permits to June 30.

Due to the current restrictions on in-person dining in restaurants, the executive order reduces the number of food sales a restaurant must report to maintain its alcoholic beverage permit.

Additionally, deadlines for the calculation of local taxes were also extended by the executive order.

Click here to see the executive order: https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm

The governor was joined by other state officials, including Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, State Health Commissioner Kristina Box, and Secretary of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Jennifer Sullivan.

Holcomb and Dr. Box restated the importance of the Fairbanks COVID-19 statewide sampling study, of which the second round of testing started today, and encouraged Hoosiers to participate if they are contacted.

Dr. Box recounted the state’s latest coronavirus numbers, as reported by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) on Wednesday. 

ISDH reported 511 new coronavirus cases between April 24 and June 2 and 10 additional deaths between May 29 and June 2, bringing the statewide totals to 35,712 and 2,032 respectively. Marion County has now seen more than 10,000 positive cases. 

Dr. Box said she was concerned about protests and the potential of spreading the coronavirus and possibly seeing a spike in the state’s case numbers.

“Of course I’m concerned,” she said. “Please take precautions as you are gathering.”

Dr. Dan Rusyniak, Chief Medical Officer for Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) spoke about recent discrepancies in COVID-19 reporting in long-term care facilities.

Dr. Rusyniak said FSSA is looking into these discrepancies. “Our focus for long-term care facilities has been how to prevent and mitigate outbreaks,” he said.

According to Dr. Rusyniak the state deployed strike teams, surveyors went to facilities early, and Indiana recognized there were outbreaks that occurred that we didn’t hear about until later. He said that is why, on April 10, the state ruled that all long-term care facilities would have to report cases within 24 hours.

“CMS has acknowledged that the data in the systems is unlikely to align with the states’ data because of the way they are counted,” Rusyniak said.

He said there are now guidelines for visitors and restrictions are not without consequences. He added that isolation has had a serious impact and technology like facetime calls cannot substitute an in-person visit.

Dr. Rusyniak said transmission risks are much lower outdoors, and the risk of coronavirus and the need for family interactions at these facilities can be balanced, and the state will soon be releasing guidelines for outdoor visitations.

“We are working on a timeline so that everyone can visit those they love without a restriction,” said Rusyniak.

Indiana remains in Stage 3 of Holcomb’s “Back on Track Indiana Plan.” Stage 4 isn’t expected to start until June 14.

Dr. Sarah Moyer, director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness and the city’s chief health strategist, is encouraging those participating in recent demonstrations to get tested for COVID-19, to wear facemasks and to practice other strategies to protect themselves during future demonstrations.

“We encourage those who have been participating in the demonstrations since last Thursday to get a free COVID-19 test,” said Dr. Moyer. “They can get tested through their healthcare providers or at other locations that are posted on our website.”

Dr. Moyer also encourages demonstrators to do the following as much as possible:
• Wear a face mask
• Wear eye protection (sunglasses, goggles, face shields)
• Stay hydrated
• Use hand sanitizer
• Avoid yelling – instead use signs and noisemakers
• Stick to a small group
• Keep 6 feet from other groups

“Our city has gone through some very painful events over the past months,” Dr. Moyer said, “but the Department of Public Health and Wellness continues to work to achieve health equity for all of our people and to bring about a healthier Louisville where everyone and every community thrives.”

COVID-19 Numbers
• 2651 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Louisville
o 43 new
• 172 deaths
o Three new: An 87-year old male and two individuals 90 years or older.
• 1826 recovered
o 64 new

The racial and ethnic breakout is as follows:

Race
Confirmed (80% complete)
57% White
32% Black
6% Asian

Deceased (96% complete)
64% White
30% Black
5% Asian

Ethnicity
Confirmed
16% Hispanic/Latino

Deceased
3% Hispanic/Latino

Contact Tracing

The Department of Public Health and Wellness is greatly expanding its contact tracing capacity. Contact tracing is the practice of identifying and monitoring individuals who may have had contact with an infectious person in order to control the spread of a communicable disease.

“Contact tracing is how we box-in COVID-19 as we ease social distancing protocols and get the economy up and running’” said Dr. Moyer. “It’s how we will prevent large outbreaks until a vaccine is developed and is widely available.”

The Department of Public Health and Wellness is hiring more employees to do contact tracing and the city has contracted with Lacuna Health for additional contact tracing and case management services.

“For contact tracing to work to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we need everyone’s help and cooperation’” said Dr. Moyer. “If you get a call from one of our COVID-19 contact tracers and are told you may have been in close contact with some who has COVID19, please cooperate. Please answer our call and be honest,” she said.

Contact tracers will ask about your health, housing, and employment to find out who you were close to who may have exposed to the virus, and if you have what you need to stay safe and recover.

“We can help make sure you have groceries, medicine, and other important things while you stay home and get better,” Moyer said.

Contact tracers WILL NOT ask for Social Security numbers or credit cards. Nor will they ask about immigration status. They will not share your identity with the law enforcement or immigration officials.
For more information about COVID19, including testing locations, information on contact tracing and more, visit www.louisvilleky.gov/covid19.

Republicans once again showed their strength on the ballot with all seven local positions filled but only two races this primary election that was moved to June due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

There were only two local Democratic candidates and both of them were unopposed.

The slate is set for the General Election in November, with Republican Incumbent Peg Schell returning to seek her another term as county coroner and three county councilmembers – including one newcomer. 

These are the unofficial results and will stand until the results are certified, which takes approximately 10 days. 

Schell defeated Republican challenger Steve Tye, 1,547 to 1,191. She received 1,099 votes today and 448 early votes. Tye received 884 votes today with 307 early votes. 

In the Republican race for County Council nominations, the field was full of six candidates seeking three spots. 

Mark “Bubba” Abbott took the majority of votes with 1,507; followed by incumbents Keeley Stingel with 1,436 and Rondale Brishaber. 

Abbot captured 1,128 votes on Tuesday with 379 early votes. Stingel took 1,021 in-person votes while receiving 3415 early votes. Brishaber had 1,248 total votes and received 850 votes at the polls while taking 398 early votes. 

Brishaber edged out fellow councilmember and incumbent Gerald Fleming Sr by one vote, 1248 to 1247. 

Jason Cockerill, the former Washington County Surveyor, received 1,082 votes (760 at the polls and 322 in early votes) and Salem Middle School teacher Duane Malloy took 1,011 total votes with 741 votes on election day and 270 early votes. 

Those running for Republican State Delegates were, in order of votes:

• Erin Houchin – 2,019 
• Dustin Houchin – 1,739
• Keeley Stingel – 1,579
• Tara Coats Hunt – 1,352
• Jason Cockerill – 1,342
• Ken Armstrong – 1,304
• Stephanie Rockey – 1,301
• Susan Davidson – 1,262
• LuAnn Armstrong – 1,166

Other delegates were: 

• Emily Cockerill – 1,165
• Chris Hunt – 1,083
• Jimmy Rockey – 1,008

On the Democratic ticket, Judity Wiesenauer received the only party nomination for the state convention delegate with 1,080 votes. Of those, 475 were votes at the polls with 605 early votes. 

County Clerk 

Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey won the GOP nomination to run on the ballot for the first time this fall. Rockey was caucused to replace former clerk Sarah Milligan. 

Rockey took 2,555 total votes with 1,824 on election day and 731 in early voting. 

County Treasurer

Former County Treasurer Shirley Batt had no competition on the Democratic ticket and earned the nomination to run in the fall. She took 1,183 votes with 509 at the polls and 674 in early voting. 

The Republican party nominated Nancy J. Coats, who ran unopposed, to challenge Batt this fall. 

Coats received 2,469 votes with 1,782 at the polls and another 687 early votes. 

County Surveyor

Emily Rodman ran unopposed for the Republican nomination to run this fall as County Surveyor. She received 2,499 votes with 1,787 votes on Tuesday and 712 early votes. 

County Commissioner, District 1

Republican incumbent Phil Marshall ran unopposed for the party nomination to run this fall for the District 1 County Commissioner seat. 

Marshall earned 2,507 votes with 1,828 at the polls and another 679 in early votes. 

County Commissioner, District 3 

Republican incumbent Rick Roberts will seek another term as District 3 County Commissioner. Roberts took 2,517 votes with 723 early votes and 1,794 coming at the polls. 

State Representative District 73

Steve Davisson Indiana State Representative from District 73 took an early lead from Republican challenger Mark Cox. Davisson defeated him in Washington County, 2,097 to 834. 

Davisson will seek another term in the fall election.  He took 1,397 votes at the polls and earned 700 in early voting. 

Cox captured 720 votes on Tuesday and 114 in early votes. 

With 63 percent of the vote in Tuesday night, Davisson had 56 percent of the vote compared to 44 percent for Cox. 

US Representative District 9 

Incumbent Trey Hollingsworth pulled 2,639 local votes. He was unopposed on the Republican ticket. 

On the Democratic ballot, D. Liam Dorris, Brandon Hood, James O’Gabhann III, Mark J. Powell and Andy Ruff all sought the nomination to run against Hollingsworth in the fall. 

With about 75 percent of the vote in, Ruff has edged Powell for the chance to run against Hollingsworth in November. 

Ruff has earned 10,355 or 32.6 percent of the vote while Powell took 7,976 or 25.1 percent. 

According to Alicia Thompson, Washington County Health Department Nurse, the second stage of the IUPUI research study begins June 3-7.

Thompson explained that if residents receive a postcard or text, be sure and participate. 

“Neither the postcard nor text will ask for any type of financial information, so please don’t fall for scams,” she pointed out. 

“Your participation is greatly appreciated in helping to learn more about this virus,” said Thompson. “At this time you can not volunteer for this study only those that have been preselected are eligible.”

Tuesday night (June 2) you’ll be able to drive into the parking lot of the Washington County Justice Center, grab some snacks, and tune to WSLM to hear the LIVE results of the primary election. 

The Washington County Commissioners have given their approval as well as Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey. 

“We wanted to do something creative and give those that normally gather to listen to the results the ability to do so in as near a normal manner as possible,” said Rebecca White, owner, and general manager of Salem Media. “The Washington County Election Board usually reads the results but the public won’t be able to come in as they have in years past.”

County buildings remain closed to the public due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Snacks will be available on a table near the entrance to the Justice Center, courtesy of Walmart. 

“Of course, like any Drive-In, you’ll need to head to the snack bar before the Feature Presentation,” said White. “Grab some chips, candy, and a drink, and enjoy the election results in your vehicle. I will be reading the results live on WSLM 97.9 FM and WSLM 1220 AM, as well as broadcasting, live on social media and wslmradio.com.” 

White will be joined by Brad Gilbert to present the results after the polls close at 6p. 

The only two races are on the Republican ticket for Coroner and County Council.