Local News Top Story 

Coronavirus update for March 27th: State numbers; Home care guidelines

John Clark

Statewide cases closes in on 1,000

The Indiana State Department of Health is reporting 981 positive COVID-19 test results this morning and 24 deaths from the disease across the state. So far there have been 6,936 tests completed for the disease by the health department.

Bartholomew County has six reported cases. The county health department reports 350 total tests done here, with 113 negative results and 225 pending.

Decatur County has 26 confirmed cases. Five are reported in Jennings County, six in Shelby County, four in Jackson County and two in Brown County. Johnson County has 42 confirmed cases.

Marion County leads the state with 484 confirmed cases.

State offers guidelines for home care of COVID-19

The Indiana State Department of Health is offering home care instructions for those with COVID-19. Home Care Instructions for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The following instructions are for people who have or are being evaluated for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and their families and caregivers. If you have or are being evaluated for COVID-19, you should follow the prevention steps below until a healthcare provider, the Indiana State Department of Health, or your local health department determines that you can return to your normal activities.

If you are not sure if you have COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider, in consultation with the health department, will determine whether you meet criteria for COVID-19 testing and will determine the most appropriate care plan for you.

INFORMATION FOR COVID-19 PATIENTS WHO ARE NOT HOSPITALIZED

1. Stay home except to get medical care. Do not go to work, school, or public areas, and do not use public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.

2. Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home. As much as possible, stay in a specific room away from other people in your home. If possible, use a separate bathroom. If you must be in the same room as other people, wear a facemask to prevent spreading germs to others. Although there have not been reports of pets becoming sick with COVID-19, you should also avoid contact with animals or pets while you are sick.

3. Call ahead before visiting your doctor and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19 so they can prepare for your visit and take steps to keep other people from being exposed or infected.

4. Wear a facemask. You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) or pets and before you enter a healthcare providers office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then people who live with you should not stay in the same room with you, or they should wear a facemask if they enter your room.

5. Cover coughs and sneezes. To prevent spreading germs to others, when coughing or sneezing cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve. Throw used tissues in a lined trash can, and immediately wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. You should use soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.

6. Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available and if hands are not visibly dirty. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

7. Avoid sharing household items. Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding, or other items with other people or pets in your home. These items should be washed thoroughly after use with soap and warm water.

8. Monitor your symptoms. If illness gets worse (e.g., trouble breathing, pain in chest), get medical care right away. Before you visit a clinic or hospital, call your healthcare provider and tell them that you have, or might have, COVID-19. This will help your provider take steps to keep other people from getting infected. If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify the dispatch personnel that you have, or are being evaluated
for, COVID-19. If possible, put on a facemask before emergency medical services arrive.
These recommendations should be followed until your healthcare provider and/or the health department confirm that you do not have COVID-19 or determine that you are no longer contagious.

Follow home quarantine recommendations until:

  • Fever free for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers).
  • Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved).
  • At least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.

For additional information, visit https://www.in.gov/isdh/28470.htm