Governor Eric Holcomb’s Wednesday daily briefing focused on nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box ordered directors of nursing facilities and correctional facilities to report any COVID-19 cases or suspected cases and deaths to the state within 24 hours. That included residents, inmates, and employees.

Box said 15% or 31 of the state’s 203 COVID-19 deaths have come from nursing and long-term care facilities, which have been a major focus of the state’s efforts to combat the spread of the virus.

Dr. Daniel Rusyniak with the Family and Social Services Administration called those facilities “the perfect storm” for contagion because there are people in a vulnerable population living together in close quarters.

So far, the state has sent Strike Teams to 200 of a reported 735 facilities and tested 600 people. Of those, 191 tested positive and 170 of them were in long-term care facilities.

Box conceded that Indiana has struggled with its COVID-19 testing capacity. Tests are still focused on high-risk groups, she said, adding that the state had received 19 testing machines that could provide results in 15 to 30 minutes and expand capacity.

The state can do about 3,700 tests per day, Box said. The average COVID-19 patient spends 2-4 days in intensive care and 7-10 days total in the hospital.

Holcomb called COVID-19 an “invisible enemy” and reiterated that social distancing is the most effective tool the state has to slow the spread.

“We’ve got to keep our heads down and grind this thing out day after day after day,” Holcomb said. “There is no shortcut.”

He reminded Hoosiers that the anticipated surge in cases was still to come.

“The wave is coming. When you look at the numbers, the numbers don’t lie,” Holcomb said, again going to a basketball analogy. “We’ve got three-and-a-half more quarters to go. We’ve got to dig deep.”

Holcomb also signed an executive order to allow retired and inactive EMS professionals to join the fight against COVID-19.

The executive order permits retired and inactive EMS professionals to provide supplemental health care services in Indiana during this public health emergency without reinstatement or approval by the Indiana EMS Commission if they work under the supervision of a licensed EMS or health care professional.

Under the executive order, retired and inactive EMS professionals are also allowed to provide primary patient care for patients as part of emergency response, transports and facilities with a temporary certification or licensure from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

The Scott County Health Department has reported today the 12th case of Covid-19. 

The patient was possibly exposed while working as a healthcare provider but employed outside of the county.

The Scott County Health Department has spoken to all close contacts of the patient who could have been exposed.

The patient is currently quarantined at their residence.

There have been 99 total tests administered with 2 deaths reported. 

In a press release issued Tuesday, officials say 36 Mitchell Manor in-house residents have tested positive for COVID-19 as of April 7th. 

Lawrence County has 55 total cases, as reported by the Indiana State Health Department early Wednesday morning. This is an increase of 11 since Tuesday’s report. 

HIPPA guidelines prevent the sharing of personal patient information, but the facility did share the following information:

• All residents have been tested for COVID-19.
• Thirty-six of the residents have tested positive at the facility.
• Two of these residents have died.
• Thirty-four residents remain in isolation at the facility and are under the care of the facility.
• Twenty-one current residents have tested negative for COVID-19. Two resident tests are still pending.

Staff and officials are following the guidance of the medical director and local hospitals and will continue the care for these residents in-house unless a resident’s condition progresses to a level of care that requires a transfer to a hospital.

According to the April 3rd press release, five additional residents tested positive after transferring to local hospitals. Three of those residents have died. The other two are recovering at the hospital.

“We have been and will continue to follow all CMS, CDC and state and local health department guidelines concerning COVID-19. Our associates are being diligent on practicing proper hand hygiene and use of personal protective equipment, which is recurring education they normally receive, beginning with their orientation at our facility,” said Mitchell Manor Executive Director Kathi Hignite-Owens.

“Every associate is also screened when they arrive for work and when they leave, including checking temperature, to ensure no additional sickness is brought into the building,” Owens added. “Anyone with a fever over 100.4 is sent home and asked to contact their personal physician.”

These guidelines also place restrictions on the entrance of visitors, family members, and vendors.

HIPPA guidelines prevent the sharing of personal patient information, but the facility did share the following information:

• All residents have been tested for COVID-19.
• Thirty-six of the residents have tested positive at the facility.
• Two of these residents have died.
• Thirty-four residents remain in isolation at the facility and are under the care of the facility.
• Twenty-one current residents have tested negative for COVID-19. Two resident tests are still pending.

Staff and officials are following the guidance of the medical director and local hospitals and will continue the care for these residents in-house unless a resident’s condition progresses to a level of care that requires a transfer to a hospital.

According to the April 3rd press release, five additional residents tested positive after transferring to local hospitals. Three of those residents have died. The other two are recovering at the hospital.

“We have been and will continue to follow all CMS, CDC and state and local health department guidelines concerning COVID-19. Our associates are being diligent on practicing proper hand hygiene and use of personal protective equipment, which is recurring education they normally receive, beginning with their orientation at our facility,” said Mitchell Manor Executive Director Kathi Hignite-Owens.

“Every associate is also screened when they arrive for work and when they leave, including checking temperature, to ensure no additional sickness is brought into the building,” Owens added. “Anyone with a fever over 100.4 is sent home and asked to contact their personal physician.”

These guidelines also place restrictions on the entrance of visitors, family members, and vendors. 

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the friends and loved ones of the patients who have passed away,”Hignite-Owens said. “The safety and well-being of our residents will remain our highest priority as we continue to work in partnership with the Indiana State Department of Health and the local health department and follow the guidance they provide.”

The Scott County Health Department has identified its 10th and 11th case of Covid-19 that tested positive on April 7.

SCHD reports it has spoken to all close contacts of the patients who could have been exposed.

Each patient is currently quarantined at their residence.

The SCHD has updated its website with information on possible local retailers where the patients might have been.  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.

Jay-C Store Scottsburg

• Dates: March 18th

Dollar General Store- Vienna 

• Dates: March 27th 

Scott’s Ace Hardware

• Date Range: March 27th-April 7th

Circle K Austin

• Date Range: March 27th-April 7th

256 Supply True Value Hardware

• Date Range: March 27th-April 7th

Huck’s 

• Date Range: March 27th-April 7th

Fuel Mart 

• Date Range: March 27th-April 7th

Walmart Scottsburg

• Dates: March 30th

The Indiana State Health Department reported this morning that Washington County has one new case of Covid-19. 

No information has been released regarding the person’s epidemiology or where the person might have been in contact with other members of the public. 

ISHD reports no deaths in Washington County due to the virus and that 70 tests have been administered, which indicates 33 percent of those tested have been confirmed positive cases. 

There were 436 total new cases reported in Indiana since yesterday, with 30 new deaths. There were an additional 2,105 people tested across Indiana. 

In total there are now 5,943 cases in Indiana with 203 total deaths and 30,869 tested being recorded. 

In comparison, there have only been 1,275 total reported cases in Kentucky with 904 active right now. There have been 65 fatalities and 306 recoveries. 

Currently, Indiana is not tracking the number of Covid-19 positive patients who have recovered. 

Around the WSLM Listening Area, here’s a look at the numbers:

• Lawrence County – 55 total cases, up by 11 from yesterday.
• Jackson County – 46 total cases, up by 6 from yesterday.
• Jennings County – 42 total cases, up by 1 from yesterday. 
• Scott County – 11 total cases, up by 3 from yesterday. 
• Clark County – 86 total cases, up by 4 from yesterday. 
• Floyd County – 77 total cases, up by 3 from yesterday. 
• Harrison County – 48 total cases, no change. 
• Crawford County – 11 total cases, up by 3 from yesterday. 
• Orange County – 11 total cases
• Washington County – 21 total cases – up by 1 from yesterday. 

Yesterday morning, probationary troopers from the 79th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy class were issued their state police cars at the Indiana State Police Youth Education and Historical Center in Indianapolis.

The probationary officers recently completed a three month field-training period with veteran troopers.

They will serve a one-year probationary period before attaining permanent status as a trooper.

In addition to the field training, the new officers received over 900 hours of structured training in law enforcement techniques while at the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy. Their curriculum included criminal law instruction, emergency vehicle operations training, psychology, and survival Spanish.

They also developed skills in criminal investigation, vehicle crash investigation, and impaired driver prevention and detection. 

Two of the troopers receiving a car yesterday morning are assigned to the Sellersburg District and will begin solo patrol.

Clay Boley is from Charlestown, Indiana, and a graduate of Charlestown High School. After high school, Boley enlisted in the U.S. Army and was an airborne infantryman in the 3rd Ranger Battalion. Probationary Trooper Boley enjoys weightlifting and fishing. Clay and his wife, Destiny, reside in Clark County. Trooper Boley’s primary patrol counties will be Clark and Floyd.  

Dakota Novak is from Marengo, Indiana, and a graduate of Crawford County High School. Novak also attended Prosser Career Education School with training in Firefighting and EMS and worked as a heavy equipment operator before becoming a trooper. Dakota has numerous hobbies, including hunting, golf, and woodworking. Trooper Novak and his wife, Shaifer, reside in Harrison County, which will be his primary area of patrol.  

Due to restrictions on social gatherings in the midst of COVID-19, IBEP has moved the
bull sale to an all-online format using DVAuction.

The 85th IBEP Bull Sale will be August 16, 2020 at 6:00 pm on
https://www.dvauction.com/. The sale offering consists of 85 bulls from the Angus, Hereford, Red Angus, Simmental/Simm Angus, and Charolais breeds.

The sale will remain a live auction with an auctioneer calling the sale. DVAuction
provides the opportunity to actively bid or simply view the live auction. To bid or view, one must first be approved through DVAuction. Details on how to register as a bidder or viewer available at https://www.dvauction.com/register .

IBEP realizes this auction format may be new to some. At the same time, some may be
uneasy about online bidding. No worries. IBEP is happy to work with anyone to take bids over the phone or as an absentee bid.

To bid over the phone or to place an absentee bid, please contact Nick Minton at the Test Station at 812-279-4330 or 812-797-7944 to become registered and to
receive additional information.

While the sale format has changed, the quality of bulls remains the same. All sale eligible
bulls are top indexing of their respective breeds, have passed a thorough screening for structural soundness and disposition and have passed a breeding soundness exam. All bulls are parent verified to sire and dam with many having genomically enhanced EPDs.

Bulls are available for viewing, at any time, between now at the day of the sale at the
IBEP Test Station, located at the Feldun Purdue Ag Center, 1117 SR 458, Bedford, IN 47421 (coordinates: 38.889864, -86.555149).

IBEP encourages folks to view bulls at the test station at their convenience. IBEP would
appreciate a call prior to your visit just to let them know you are stopping by. Catalogs are available at the test station, in the mailbox, at the end of the feed alley. In addition, videos of bulls and the catalog are available for viewing at
https://www.dvauction.com/video_catalogs/5660 .

Please direct questions to Nick Minton, IBEP Test Station Manager and IBEP
Secretary/Treasurer, at 812-279-4330 or 812-797-7944 or nminton@purdue.edu

Scammers are looking to capitalize on more than just consumers’ fears over the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. They are also hoping to take advantage of vulnerable small businesses, Attorney General Curtis Hill said today.

There are resources available to small businesses when it comes to the economic impacts of this ongoing public health emergency, Attorney General Hill said. However, small businesses must remain vigilant and be on the lookout for fraudsters who may appear to be offering help, but are actually seeking to harm.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) said scams involving the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are targeting small businesses. In one example, imposters posing as the SBA offer grants for small businesses affected by the outbreak. After completing an application for the grant by perhaps providing banking and business information, the business owner is asked to pay a “processing fee,” the BBB said.

No matter how much your small business could use this “free” money, do not take it, the BBB says.

Attorney General Hill urged business owners to thoroughly research any offers like this one before accepting and providing personal information.

“Small businesses in Indiana are normally trying to satisfy their customers and maintain a profit. But as this pandemic plays out, small businesses are shifting their business models, keeping people safe and just trying to survive,” Attorney General Hill said. “This juggling act makes them especially vulnerable to scammers who are trying to illegally and immorally profit from this crisis.”

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has documented additional coronavirus-related scams targeting businesses. These include “public health” scams, government check scams, information technology scams and more. Read more from the FTC here.

To avoid coronavirus-related scams, Attorney General Hill said to do the following:

• Carefully inspect the email addresses in all messages landing in your inbox.
• Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails and be wary of email attachments.
• Use trusted, legitimate government websites to obtain up-to-date information.
• Don’t reveal personal or financial information via email or text message.
• Hang up on robocalls.

If you own a small business in the Hoosier state, visit the Indiana Chamber of Commerce website to view assistance options available to you. Small businesses may also be eligible for relief under the CARES Act, which contains $376 billion in relief for American workers and small businesses.

Hoosiers who believe they have encountered scams may file a complaint online with the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division by clicking here. If you need more information about services provided by this office, you may call 1-800-382-5516.

With people sheltering at home, many parks are doing virtual programming. Have you tried any?

Indiana State Parks have programs listed on the DNR Calendar at calendar.dnr.IN.gov. Look for the word “virtual” and check them out.  

Now is a great time to study your frog calls at https://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3325.htm

April is Citizen Science Month. Being involved in a citizen science project is a great way to learn about the nature around you and help at the same time. Here are a few citizen science opportunities you can explore:

Indiana Phenology is seeking volunteers to collected plant phenology data. Phenology is the study of observable seasonal life cycle changes in nature, such as leafing, flowering and fruiting of plants or in migratory, feeding and reproductive behavior in animals. 

The goal is to gather data on the leafing, flowering and fruiting of common native plants in all 92 counties of Indiana to document the impacts of environmental change in Indiana. Partners include the USA National Phenology Network (USA-NPN), an organization dedicated to collecting, organizing, and sharing phenological data and information to aid decision-making, scientific discovery, and a broader understanding of the science of phenology.  Long-term observations of plant and animal life stages are recorded by volunteer and professional scientists in a national phenology program called Nature’s Notebook. All observations are freely available through the USA-NPN website. 

To find out how you can help visit https://www.indianaphenology.org/p/home.html

iNaturalist- Indiana City Nature Challenge

There are three Indiana cities participating in the City Nature Challenge this year-South Bend, Fort Wayne area and Indianapolis, which combined covers a large part of Indiana. This is a friendly, collaborative effort to document the wildlife found all around us using the iNaturalist app. Check out the project page for information https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/indiana-city-nature-challenge-2020?tab=about

NestWatch is a nationwide monitoring program designed to track status and trends in the reproductive biology of birds, including when nesting occurs, the number of eggs laid, how many eggs hatch, and how many hatchlings survive. The database is intended to be used to study the current condition of breeding bird populations and how they may be changing over time as a result of climate change, habitat degradation and loss, expansion of urban areas, and the introduction of non-native plants and animals. To find out more visit https://nestwatch.org/

eBird is a simple app that allows you to quickly record bird sightings as a way of creating a personalized list of what you’ve seen and learned. It is for all levels of birders to use. The data from eBird can be used by scientists to explore bird biology on a global scale. To learn more about eBird, visit: https://ebird.org/home  

EDDMapS

Given the vastness of Indiana, you may be the first to notice an invasive species growing. You can use the citizen science tool EDDMapS to report your observations. It is free and easy to use. EDDMapS tracks invasive species across Indiana and there have been over 130,000 county reports. It is also a helpful website for learning about invasive species identification.  To learn more about reporting invasive species with EDDMapS, visit: www.eddmaps.org/indiana/

Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow network – simply known as CoCoRaHS – is an international (North America) program that offers an opportunity for anyone — young or old — to become a volunteer observer of precipitation. Local television, radio, and newspaper outlets can use the volunteer reports to share information from rural and small communities as well as larger cities. Climatologists study the data and look for changing weather patterns and historical trends. Even the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) uses CoCoRaHS reports to help determine if a county may qualify for federal funding after a severe storm.  Your observations can help while also becoming a significant contribution to the official climate record of Indiana. CoCoRaHS came to Indiana in February of 2006 and has over 500 active observers of all ages from across the Hoosier State. Indiana was one of the first states in the Midwest to join this international network, which consists of over 20,000 volunteers. CoCoRaHS is a volunteer, grass-roots network dedicated to the monitoring of precious water resources.  Organizations involved in agriculture/gardening, public safety, and natural resources management will find great benefit from contributing to this data network, that is available free of charge to anyone through the https://www.cocorahs.org/ website.

CoCoRaHS represents an important way to monitor precipitation trends that can significantly affect our daily lives. To learn more about CoCoRaHS, what is involved, how to join, etc., please join one of our upcoming CoCoRaHS Overview and Training webinars:

Thursday, April 16 meeting invitation:

Topic: CoCoRaHS Informational and Training

Time: April 16, 2020 (6 PM ET / 5 PM CT) (US and Canada)

 Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/195934470

 Meeting ID: 195 934 470

Friday, April 17 Meeting Invitation: 

Topic: CoCoRaHS Informational and Training

             Time: April 17, 2020 (10 AM ET / 9 AM CT) (US and Canada)

 Join Zoom Meeting – https://zoom.us/j/110143581

 Meeting ID: 110 143 581

Want more citizen science opportunities? Visit https://scistarter.org/finder  and fill out the search boxes to learn about other projects.

Purdue University Webinars

Some interesting webinars are being offered by the  Exotic Forest Pest Educator from Purdue University 

Spring 2020 Schedule

April 22 at 11 a.m. ET – Forest Invaders to Watch for and How to Manage Them Part 1: Emerald Ash Borer, Thousand Cankers Disease, and Asian Longhorned Beetle

Something chewing up your tree trunks? This webinar will cover the basics of identification and treatment of three major invasive woodborers: emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, and thousand cankers disease. It will also include instruction on the identification of the host plants of invasive species.

Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PChqm8-dSUGEQLRGHOQbGg

April 29 at 11 a.m. ET – Forest Invaders to Watch for and How to Manage Them Part 2: Spotted Lanternfly, Gypsy Moth, and Hemlock Wooly Adelgid

What’s that on your tree? We’ll tell you about how to identify, treat, and where to find three invasive species to watch out for on the outside of your trees: spotted lanternfly, hemlock wooly adelgid, and gypsy moth. The program will also include instruction on the identification of the host plants of invasive species.

Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FqC35hQET9K61WjNjGEtrw

May 13 at 11 a.m. ET- Integrating Chemical and Biological Control of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: A Resource Manager’s Guide

Register here: https://msu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_f5bOih52R6iRO31CXPjXVA 

Missed one of the webinars? Watch recordings from the spring 2020 season.

Is this the end for American beech? – Recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekjMTM5UhTI&feature=youtu.be

Long-term impacts and management of emerald ash borer – Recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaCWNiRZmAw

CEU credits are offered but vary by webinar. Contact Elizabeth Barnes at barne175@purdue.edu for more details.

Can’t watch it live? No problem! All webinars are recorded and posted online after the talks. Register to be emailed the link when the video is posted! http://www.emeraldashborer.info/eabu.php