The Orange County Health Department, in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), has confirmed on Wednesday the first case of a novel coronavirus in a county resident.

The patient is in isolation.

No additional information about the patient will be released due to privacy laws.

The county is working closely with the State Department of Health to identify any close contacts of the patient who might have been exposed to ensure that appropriate precautions are taken in accordance with the latest CDC guidance.

At this time, the risk to the public is believed to below.

Local Health Officer Dr. Jose Lopez, states, “The local health department has been preparing for weeks to ensure that we have resources and systems in place to limit or prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County. We are taking every step possible to identify the cause of this individual’s illness and ensure that the patient and our community stay healthy.”

Symptoms of novel coronavirus include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. This virus is most commonly spread from an infected person to others through

> respiratory droplets released into the air by coughing and 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, including the COVID-19, is to:

wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
>avoid touching your eyes nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
>avoid close contact with people who are sick
> stay home when you are sick
>cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
>clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surface

The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wearing a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illness, including COVID-19.

You should only wear a mask if a health care professional recommends it.

A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms to protect others form the risk of infection.

For additional information about novel coronavirus, visit in.gov/coronavirus

Outdoor activities, and travel to and from those activities, are still permitted. This includes hiking, biking, fishing, boating, birding, hunting, camping, geocaching and other self-directed legal activities. Hoosiers should practice social distancing while participating in these activities. It is important that you know before you go.

Hunting and fishing licenses

All 2019-2020 basic hunting, basic fishing, hunt/fish combo, youth licenses and stamps set to expire March 31, 2020, will be valid for use until Friday, May 22, 2020. Please maintain a printed or electronic copy with you while hunting/fishing. If you do not have a valid 2019 – 2020 annual license or stamp, a new 2020 -2021 annual license will be needed. For the upcoming 2020 spring wild turkey season, hunters will need a 2020 spring turkey license and valid game bird habitat stamp. Licenses can be purchased by visiting the Indiana Fish & Wildlife Online License System, open authorized license vendors, or calling the Indiana DNR Customer Service Center at 877-463-6367, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

What’s open

All DNR properties including state parks, state forests, fish and wildlife areas, nature preserves and state recreation areas.

Entrance fees at all properties have been temporarily suspended.

Families will be able to go outside and take a walk, run or bike ride, but they should continue to practice social distancing by remaining 6 feet away from other people. Entrance fees at properties have been temporarily suspended.

• Campgrounds – OPEN but advance reservations are required. No walk-in camping (camping without a reservation) is permitted. For those who would prefer to cancel or reschedule due to COVID-19, we are committed to waiving fees for cancellations or transfers of reservations and to issuing refunds as requested for campsites held through April 30, 2020. This time frame may be extended as the COVID-19 status evolves.
• Indiana DNR-managed lakes, trails, campgrounds, boat ramps and wildlife areas at Brookville, J.E. Roush, Salamonie, Mississinewa, Cecil M. Harden (Raccoon SRA), Cagles Mill (Lieber SRA), Patoka and Monroe lakes remain OPEN. However, public facilities managed directly by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at or below the dams at these lakes (tailwater areas, observation mounds, etc.) are CLOSED.
• Vault toilets and modern restrooms where available are OPEN. Campground comfort stations will be OPENED on our normal schedule as spring progresses and property use changes. Contact properties directly for specific information. Open restrooms are cleaned and sanitized regularly.
• Unstaffed archery ranges – OPEN.
• The Fort Golf Course at Fort Harrison State Park is OPEN with limited hours. Tee times are available from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  The Pro Shop and Garrison are closed with no public access. Payment and reservations can only be made by phone at 317-543-9597. Walking only, no carts, rakes or flags.  Please practice social distancing during play. Portable restrooms will be cleaned daily.

What’s closed

• All property offices – CLOSED.
• Passes and permits can be purchased online at ShopINStateparks.com. Property maps are available online. Office contact information will be provided on doors for those who have specific questions.
• State park inns and restaurants – CLOSED.
• Family cabins and camper cabins – CLOSED.
• Playgrounds, fire towers, and other similar facilities – CLOSED.
• Welcome Centers, Nature Centers, Historic Buildings and Visitor Centers, Forest Education Centers – CLOSED.
• Shooting ranges – CLOSED.
• Shelters, recreation buildings, and other enclosed picnic areas – CLOSED.
• State Park Inn pools and the aquatic center at Abe Martin Lodge – CLOSED.
• All group camps, youth tent and rally tent areas – CLOSED.
• The DNR Customer Service Center in downtown Indianapolis is CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC but is still available by telephone.

Events

• All indoor and outdoor public programs and special events are postponed through April 30. There will be virtual programming added through social media; watch the DNR calendar for details and times.
• All fishing tournaments on DNR owned/operated properties – CANCELED THROUGH APRIL 30.
• All fishing tournaments that require a permit through DNR, even if they are not on DNR owned/operated property – CANCELED THROUGH APRIL 6.