#INthistogether social distancing campaign aims to keep Hoosiers healthy and return Indiana to normal social interactions and business operations

 Partners supporting #INthistogether campaign include Eli Lilly, Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, Indianapolis Colts, Indiana University, and Purdue University

Governor Eric J. Holcomb and Mayor Joe Hogsett – and a coalition of statewide business and community partners including Eli Lilly and Company – announced a social distancing campaign to help flatten the curve for COVID-19 in Indiana. The #INthistogether campaign will help Hoosiers understand the importance of social distancing, provide access to helpful tips and information and galvanize communitywide commitment to flattening the curve. When done correctly, social distancing reduces the number of hospitalizations and deaths related to the pandemic.

Gov. Holcomb launched the #INthistogether social distancing campaign at his daily press briefing on COVID-19 and through a statewide public service announcement. Mayor Hogsett released a public service announcement showing his support for the campaign and its importance for residents of Indianapolis, one of the nation’s growing hotspots for cases of the virus. Other partners launched their own contributions to the campaign, including videos and social media posts from Indiana Pacers shooting guard, Victor Oladipo, Indiana Fever player and vice president of basketball operations, Tamika Catchings, and Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard.

 “Social distancing is the most important and effective tool we have to defeat COVID-19,” said Gov. Holcomb. “If we act now, we can save lives and then re-open our state for business, group activities, sports and the other things we enjoy doing together as Hoosiers. But we need every person to take this seriously and do their part. We are truly in this together.”

All Hoosiers are encouraged to show how they are practicing good social distancing, whether they are at home, at an essential business or going out for essential needs. Today’s announcement included a community toolkit that allows everyone in the state to show they are #INthistogether. A wide range of resources can be found at INthistogethercampaign.com.

“This campaign is sharing a critically important message with the people of Indianapolis as well as residents across the state,” said Mayor Hogsett. “It’s clear that social distancing works. And while restrictions have presented challenges for businesses, families, and workers, the health and safety of Hoosiers have to continue being our top priority. In order to meaningfully address this public health crisis, we must ensure people understand that their actions impact the wellbeing of their neighbors. We really are in this together.”

The #INthistogether campaign underscores the urgency of these social distancing tips:

• Stay home. Right now, staying home is the best way you can help our healthcare workers and first responders. Essential businesses are still open and everyone can go to grocery stores, the pharmacy and medical care as needed.
• Avoid close physical contact. Remember to maintain a safe distance of six feet apart and keep up healthy hygiene practices, including washing your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, clean and sanitize frequently, and cough or sneeze into the elbow.
• If you feel sick. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, call your physician and try to isolate yourself from others in the home.
• Stay connected with friends and loved ones. There are multiple ways like video conferencing, when available, that allow people to see each other on computers and smartphones. People are also encouraged to write letters and call or text people to check-in and connect socially. Try to say hi to neighbors from six feet away.
• Take care of yourself. That includes your physical health and mental well-being. Staying home does not mean you can’t go for a run or walk as long as you maintain a safe physical distance. Eating well, occasionally turning off the news and a good night’s sleep are important.
• Support our community. Look for creative ways to virtually give back to your community. Call an elderly neighbor, say hi over the fence, offer virtual tutoring or donate to an organization or community fund, like the Central Indiana Economic Relief Fund.

As one of the campaign partners, Lilly has pledged to amplify the campaign by reaching out to other corporations, businesses and community organizations in addition to offering drive-through testing for health care workers and working with the scientific and medical community to defeat the coronavirus.

“Lilly is bringing the full force of our scientific and medical expertise to attack the coronavirus pandemic around the world. Here in our Indiana home, we feel a special responsibility to help bring our community together to practice proven and effective health strategies,” said David A. Ricks, chairman and chief executive officer of Eli Lilly and Company. “We’re honored to be working with Governor Holcomb, Mayor Hogsett and other partners to help Indiana rise to the challenge and flatten the curve. Lives depend on it.”

Visit INthistogethercampaign.com for additional information about the campaign, including links to routinely updated information on IN.gov. 

Clark County Health Officer Dr. Eric Yazel announced the first Clark County death from COVID-19 Wednesday.

The patient, who died Tuesday, was 57 years old and had been at Clark Memorial Hospital. The patient also suffered from underlying medical conditions.

This is the 66th death in Indiana due to the coronavirus. The closest deaths in Southern Indiana have come in Scott and Lawrence Counties, each having one death from Covid-19.

The health department will not be releasing further information about the patient or the case, officials said.

The Indiana State Department of Health reported at 10 a.m. that the state death toll increased by 16 deaths to 65 overnight. 

Total positive cases of COVID-19 rose to 2,565 as of Wednesday morning.

In Clark County, 38 people have tested positive, while 21 have tested positive in Floyd County.

In other local counties around Washington, the number of cases and the increase since Tuesday:

• Crawford – 3 (no increase) 
• Harrison – 15 (no increase)
• Jackson – 10 (an increase of 2 cases)
• Lawrence – 11 (an increase of 2 cases)
• Orange – 3 (no increase)
• Scott – 2 – (an increase of 1 case)
• Washington – 9 (an increase of 3 cases)

The Scott County Health Department reported its second case in the county this morning. 

The patient is currently in quarantine at their residence, according to the press release. 

The patient’s symptoms started around March 18 and were notified of a positive test result today, April 1. 

SCHD Public Health Nurses have identified all other close contacts of the patient who might have been exposed and ensured that appropriate precautions have been taken in accordance with the latest CDC guidance. 

“We have been in contact with the patient’s employer and they are contacting those who may have been exposed,” the release pointed out. “All lose contacts will be required to be on home quarantine. The patient reported going to Scottsburg Jay-C store on the afternoon of March 18. We still believe the overall risk to the public is low.”

Scott County Health Officer Dr. R. Kevin Rogers said, “It was only a matter of time before we had another confirmed case of coronavirus in our country.”

Rogers said “We know that there are many more caes in our county, but due to the lack of testing we cannot confirm that. That is why we strongly recommend if you are ill to stay at home and away from others.”

Symptoms of Covid-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Like the flu, human coronavirus is most commonly spread from an infected person to others through: 

• Respiratory droplets released into the air by coughing or sneezing.
• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands. 
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands; and
• Rarely, fecal contamination.

The best way to protect yourself from any respiratory illness is to wash your hands for at least 10 seconds with soap and water, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay home when you are sick, cover your cough or sneeze and clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. 

The Indiana State Health Department reported this morning three new cases of Covid-19 in Washington County. 

This brings the total to 9. 

Statewide there were 406 new cases since Tuesday, 16 new deaths and 1002 new tests.

Indiana’s new totals are:

• 2565 Cases
• 65 Total Deaths
• 14,375 Tests

It is not known if these people are being cared for in hospitals or confined to in-home isolation. 

According to the Wasington County Health Department, no more information would be released locally.

“The case loads are getting ridiculous quickly. We will not be updating cases anymore due to the in-depth investigations that we have to do with every case. No more information will be given out that isn’t already on ISDH website,” the Washington County Health Department recently wrote in an email. 

WSLM asked a question about this during Tuesday’s press conference with Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s and Indiana State Health Commissioner Kristina Box, MD said she was leaving that up to each health department. 

“This is normally handled by local health departments,” Box answered. “I can tell you that counties that have listed every single place in the county because someone with Covid-19 was there. That becomes a list of every business, facility and spot in the county and really doesn’t help anybody moving forward. What we’re trying to do is figure out the length of the time the individual was there and the closeness of contact with specific individuals and to trace it that way.”

There is a growing debate on whether or not the public is served by knowing this information or if it truly is a violation of a Covid-19 patient’s HIPAA privacy. 

Some feel the public has a right to know where a patient has been and who that person has been in contact with. 

Gov. Holcomb said at this time, each county would handle their own release of information. 

In other local counties around Washington, the number of cases and the increase since Tuesday:

• Clark – 38 (an increase of 5 cases)
• Crawford – 3 (no increase) 
• Floyd – 21 (no increase)
• Harrison – 15 (no increase)
• Jackson – 10 (an increase of 2 cases)
• Lawrence – 11 (an increase of 2 cases)
• Orange – 3 (no increase)
• Scott – 1 – (no increase)
• Washington – 9 (an increase of 3 cases)

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) today announced the start of the 2020 ozone forecasting season along with an updated website: SmogWatch.IN.gov.

Throughout the forecasting season, IDEM issues advisories for Air Quality Action Days (AQADs) when ground-level ozone pollution or fine particulate matter (PM2.5) could build to unhealthy levels in the outdoor air. 

IDEM recently updated the SmogWatch website which contains information about daily air quality forecasts for ozone and fine particulates, access to monitoring data for all pollutants, and current weather conditions throughout the state. Some of the new features include:

• Extended forecast capabilities
• Current ozone and PM2.5 air quality throughout the state 
• AIRNow and air quality information from adjacent states as well as historical air quality data 

IDEM invites all Hoosiers to check out the updated SmogWatch.IN.gov and sign up to receive AQADs by text message and/or email.

Health officials in Clark County and Indiana State Health Department are working closely with two facilities that have had patients test positive for COVID-19.

Patients have tested positive at Hillcrest Village and Wellstone Regional Hospital. 

Clark County Health Officer Dr. Eric Yazel confirmed Tuesday that Hillcrest Village, a senior living community in Jeffersonville, has one resident hospitalized at the University of Louisville Hospital with the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

This is the first assisted living facility in the county to have had a positive case.

According to a news release from American Senior Communities, the facility had already implemented stringent preventative measures. These include multiple assessments daily on those most at risk, screening all employees and vendors daily, enforcing a strict no-visitor policy expect for end-of-life situations, requiring all employees to wear masks and suspending communal dining and other activities.

“The health and wellness of our residents and employees remains the top priority,” according to the release. “We are in close contact with local and state health authorities and following their guidance along with national and CDC recommendations and mandates.”

Wellstone Regional Hospital, a 100-bed psychiatric facility in Jeffersonville, has had five patients test positive for the virus, Yazel said. This is of 11 people tested there.

The hospital suspended admissions last week for safety and have put the five positive patients in strict isolation, according to a news release. All families, guardians, and powers of attorney have been notified. Yazel said the state strike team is working closely with the health department, Hillcrest and Wellstone for testing, infection control, and logistics.

“We continue to work closely with the Clark County Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control, and we are following appropriate protocols,” according to a hospital release. “We continue to encourage the public to practice precautions by thoroughly washing your hands, covering your cough and sneeze, avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth, and adhering to social distancing to prevent the spread of disease.”

The hospital issued a health alert on March 16 suspending all visitation, except in critical circumstances, and encouraged patients and their loved ones to keep in touch electronically.

Misti Jecker, director of Business Development at Wellstone, said that the hospital has begun using Telehealth “to continue to serve our patients while adhering to vital social distancing practices,” according to a statement. It is being used to serve adult patients, those with chemical dependency, partial hospitalization patients and those in intensive outpatient services.

Beth Keeney, senior vice president for Community Health and Primary Care Services at LifeSpring Health Systems said the organization was able to move almost all of their behavioral health program, to Telehealth in under a week.

Starting as of last week, almost all therapy and psychiatric sessions will take place either over the phone or video, she said.

“We’re still taking new patients, They can receive their services online including seeing a nurse or doctor,” she said. “It’s going really well…we’re open for business and ready to help anybody who is feeling anxious or scared and feel like they need additional support.”

Most primary care visits are still taking place in the office at this time, although some have moved to Telehealth as well.

During COVID-19 lockdown, Trail Life USA invites families across U.S. to campout in backyard April 17

 Boys adventure movement Trail Life USA (www.TrailLifeUSA.com) today announced its first-ever “National Backyard Campout” — encouraging families to “make memories” during the COVID-19 lockdown.

At a time when “outward bound” has become “homebound” for families across the nation, Trail Life USA is inviting America’s families to take a break from their valid preoccupation with the COVID-19 crisis and have a camping adventure in their own backyards April 17.

“Our resourceful troops have held their meetings online for the past few weeks during self-isolating,” said Mark Hancock, CEO of Trail Life USA, which has more than 30,000 members in 830-plus troops across all 50 states. “But this is a time when cabin fever sets in — and boys especially need to get outdoors in a safe environment.”

While many parents will look back on COVID-19 as a time of uncertainty and anxiety, it’s an opportunity for boys — and girls — “to remember this time at home with positive memories,” said Hancock, author of Let Boys be Boys and 5 Critical Needs of Boys.

“Anything we can do as parents to help re-cast this tense time is good for our kids,” he said.

Organizers hope the National Backyard Campout will bring together families “virtually” across the nation via a live web broadcast, including story readings. Trail Life USA has posted suggestions for games, activities, and outdoor cooking recipes on its website at www.TrailLifeUSA.com/BackyardCampout.

Sharing Magical Moments

Families will also have the opportunity to share their own magical moments with others via photo and video posts.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” said national event leader Steve Padgett. “This is a great opportunity for families to spend time together, and create memories and habits that will continue long after this homebound time is over.”

Families are urged to respect all emergency restrictions in their area — including self-isolating and social distancing from non-family members, Hancock said.

Launched six years ago, Trail Life USA describes itself as a “Christ-centered, boy-focused, character, leadership, and adventure organization,” with troops meeting at local churches nationwide.