The historic depths of the economic impacts of COVID-19 and key factors in reopening the economy are outlined in a survey of nearly 1,400 business leaders conducted by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

In conjunction, the Indiana Chamber has submitted specific return-to-work recommendations to Gov. Eric Holcomb and his economic recovery team.

On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 representing the highest level), 56% of respondents in Indiana’s Road to Economic Recovery survey ranked the impact on their own business at 8, 9, or 10. The average of the 1,393 respondents was 7.24. The biggest effects thus far include revenue loss, 80%; cash flow concerns, 51%; suspended operations, 34%, and employee layoffs, 32%.

“As we have experienced over the past six-plus weeks, the unprecedented stay-at-home requirements and the ongoing uncertainty associated with the pandemic are major factors in the impact on businesses,” says Kevin Brinegar, Indiana Chamber president, and CEO. “When a business suffers, employees and their families suffer. We look forward to all beginning to recover together.”

Forty-three percent of those participating in the survey received Paycheck Protection Program loans, while 33% were awaiting an answer when initial funding was depleted.

Key findings (graphics available at www.indianachamber.com/charts) on returning to work include:

• When should businesses resume operations: Identical responses of 400 each (33%) to “after May 1” and “when more widespread testing has taken place.” Of the 26% in the “other” category, the predominant response was “as soon as possible”
• How long can your business survive after May 1 under current restrictions: 37% under six months (23% under three months); 33% longer than six months; 29% not sure
• Primary challenges to returning to “normal”: 48% customer retention; 46% finances; 38% personnel; 32% supply chain
• Will you resume operations with fewer employees: 55% no; 25% not sure; 21% yes

The survey of Indiana Chamber members and investors was conducted on April 16-22. More than 55% of participants have fewer than 50 employees, with 20% between 100 and 500 employees. A broad cross-section of industries was represented with manufacturing accounting for nearly 25% of the total.

“The numbers speak for themselves,” Brinegar adds. “Businesses and their employees are hurting. The survey reinforces the importance of resuming business activity as soon as possible, with the appropriate levels of safety in place.”

The Indiana Chamber used the survey results, ongoing direct communications with members statewide and knowledge of business operations to form its recommendations to the Governor on re-opening businesses, Brinegar notes.

Among the steps the organization suggests:

Statewide return-to-work safety guidelines (for employees and customers). Uniform guidelines established by appropriate state/federal officials will provide certainty of procedures and instill confidence in the workforce. Suggested topics to cover include mask usage, social distancing, disinfecting strategies, testing protocol and mental health.

Legal protection order through the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA) or other state agencies. Companies need assurance that as long as they are abiding by the state return-to-work safety guidelines (as noted above) and any additional IOSHA guidelines based on their industry that they are immune from lawsuits if an employee contracts COVID-19 after returning to work. At a minimum, a thorough state-led examination of liability issues is needed.

Set COVID-19 testing standards and expectations. Increased testing will not only speed the return-to-work process but also provide greater peace of mind to all Hoosiers.

Formalize state support for small businesses. A variety of initiatives – additional state or private sector investments; accelerated government payments to business vendors; potential tax credits and exemptions; and more – were proposed for consideration in the effort to assist small businesses.

Continued support for telecommuting and ensure reliable, high-speed broadband. In the short term, telecommuting seems the best course of action for employees across many industries. While Indiana is blessed to have quality broadband service reliability through various providers, state/federal assistance to strengthen internet capabilities should be deployed to any rural area where service may be lacking.

The Indiana Chamber’s Employer Coronavirus Resources page, available at www.indianachamber.com/coronavirus, will be shifting to an Economic Road to Recovery center over the next week to further help employers and their workers get back to business.

The Scott County Health Department has reported 10 new cases of Covid-19 since April 16. 

• Case 20 confirmed 4/16/20
• Case 21 & 22 confirmed 4/17/20
• Case 23 & 24 confirmed 4/18/20
• Case 25 confirmed 4/20/20
• Cases 26 & 27 confirmed 4/21/20
• Case 28 & 29 confirmed 4/22/20

The State Health Department reported only 28 cases earlier today. 

There have been 276 total tests and two deaths in Scott County. 

The date ranges are listed because the patient does not remember exact days or times but does remember visiting these places during the infectious period.

MotoMart*

• Dates: April 1st, 7th,
• Date Range: 10th- 17th 

Orscheln 

• April 8th

Huck’s*

• Date Range: March 27th-April 7th, April 16th

Casey’s (Owen St. & Gardner St.)

• Dates: April 15th, 16th

Jay-C Store Scottsburg

• Dates: March 18th, April 1st

Dollar General Store- Vienna 

• Dates: March 27th 

Dollar General Store- Scottsburg HWY 31

• Dates: April 5th, 11th, 15th

Save-a-Lot

• Dates: April 5th, 11th, 15th 

Scott’s Ace Hardware

• Date Range: March 27th-April 7th

Circle K Austin*

• Date Range: March 27th-April 16th

256 Supply True Value Hardware

• Date Range: March 27th-April 7th

Fuel Mart 

• Date Range: March 27th-April 7th

Walmart Scottsburg*

• Dates: March 24-March 31st, April 12th, April 14th, April 18th 

Tobacco Depot Express Scottsburg

• April 14th 

*indicates multiple patients have visited this location

A Jackson County woman was seriously injured in a two-vehicle accident Monday night in the 6000 blocks of State Road 235 West.

According to a press release from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, when officers Justin Amos and Zack Elliott arrived they found a 2009 Honda Accord driven by 31-year-old Anthony Walker, of Medora, and a 2014 Ford Focus was driven by 79-year-old Carolyn Lynch, of Medora, had collided head-on.

Walker was not injured during the incident.

Lynch was trapped inside her car. She was freed from the wreckage by Jackson County Emergency Medical Services and Carr Township Volunteer Fire Department personnel.

Lynch was then flown by medical helicopter to the University of Louisville Hospital.

A passenger in Lynch’s vehicle, 59-year-old Kriti Lane, was not injured.

The accident remains under investigation. 

Today during Governor Holcomb’s daily COVID-19 address. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box reported the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is collaborating with the Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI to conduct a scientific study to measure the spread of COVID-19 throughout the state.

The closely monitored study will include random sample testing for SARS-CoV-2 viral infections and antibodies in Hoosiers.

ISDH and IU will perform a scientifically valid random sampling of Hoosiers in tests conducted in four phases during the next year, beginning Saturday. In total, at least 20,000 Hoosiers will be tested for the study. Select members of the public are being asked to participate by invitation only to ensure that the sampling is representative of the population.

The scientific study will enable the state to take a critical step forward in understanding how COVID-19 is affecting Hoosiers.

“Data is key in guiding our response in the fight against COVID-19, and our partnership with Fairbanks School of Public Health researchers will provide high-quality information to help shape our decision making,” Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “I want to encourage Hoosiers who are selected to participate to step forward and help us gather the critical information for this groundbreaking scientific study.”   

The first round of testing will begin this weekend with a pool of at least 5,000 Hoosiers randomly selected from across Indiana’s 10 emergency preparedness districts. The study will include conducting both nasopharyngeal swabs and blood draws. Nasopharyngeal swabs will be tested for COVID-19 within 72 to 96 hours, while the blood samples will be tested at a later date for antibodies to determine if an individual has had COVID-19 in the past.

Indiana University Health and Eli Lilly and Co. will process nasal samples and report them back to ISDH. Participants can choose the method by which they receive their results when they register. Registration and delivery of results will be managed by Indianapolis-based Zotec Partners.

Additional phases of testing will take place in late May, in October 2020 and in April 2021.

Led by the Fairbanks School of Public Health, an interdisciplinary team of IU scientists, physicians, and epidemiologists has designed the study and developed the scientific plan for execution by state agencies. The IU team will also analyze the study results and provide scientific interpretations of the data to the state.

“This is a critical step toward understanding how COVID-19 has affected the population of Indiana,” said Nir Menachemi, professor and Fairbanks Endowed Chair in the Fairbanks School of Public Health and principal investigator on the study. “Our results will contribute valuable information to the complex considerations necessary for relaxing the stay-at-home order and other social-distancing policies.”

State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG, said the study is key to understanding the impact of the virus among Hoosiers.

“Having the ability to not only test for the presence of this virus but also to learn more about people who have been exposed in the past and might have antibodies that indicate a past infection, will help us fine-tune our work to keep Hoosiers safe from this pandemic,” Dr. Box said. ”We are grateful that this partnership will help make that happen.”

Participants will be notified of their eligibility for the study by mail, text message, email, or phone and will be directed to the testing site closest to their residence. Registrants will receive a unique code that they will show at the testing site as proof of participation.

Testing for the study will be conducted at 8 fixed and 10 mobile sites around the state from Saturday through Wednesday. Additional sampling may be added later depending on initial participation levels.

Support for the testing operation is being provided by the Indiana National Guard, Indiana Department of Transportation, state Emergency Medical Services personnel,l and other state and private partners.

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will distribute more than $11.5 million to Indiana to boost coronavirus testing and surveillance.

The funding is provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. With this funding, Indiana has now received a total of $26.3 million from the CDC.

“As Indiana continues to combat the coronavirus pandemic, this additional funding from the CDC will help expand testing and protect those at risk. This is welcome news for all Hoosiers,” said Senator Young.

According to the CDC, this funding may be used for the following activities:

Establishing or enhancing the ability to aggressively identify cases, conduct contact tracing and follow up, as well as implement appropriate containment measures

• Improving morbidity and mortality surveillance.
• Enhancing testing capacity.
• Controlling COVID-19 in high-risk settings and protecting vulnerable or high-risk populations.
• Working with healthcare systems to manage and monitor system capacity.