Coronavirus roundup for April 28th: State tops 16k; New testing sites to open

Indiana now has 16,588 total cases of COVID-19 being reported, an increase of 650 cases since Monday’s total. According to the Indiana State Department of Health, the state has had 901 deaths as of Tuesday afternoon’s update, an increase of 57 deaths from the previous day’s numbers.

Bartholomew County has 238 confirmed cases, an increase of 32 since yesterday. There have been 11 deaths so far from the coronavirus in Bartholomew County, an increase of 1. Local officials report that 1,619 Bartholomew County residents have been tested, with 1,286 negative restuls and 182 tests still pending.

In other area counties, Decatur has 195 cases and has had 27 deaths. Jennings 72 cases and 2 deaths, an increase of one death, Jackson 125 cases and the county is reporting its first death, Brown 15 cases and 1 death, Johnson 548 cases and 58 deaths, an increase of 7 deaths; and Shelby 191 cases and 10 deaths, an increase of two deaths since yesterday’s report.

Governor: New, free testing sites opening next 7 days

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb announced Tuesday that OptumServe Health Services, powered by Logistics Health, Inc., will open sites across Indiana in the next seven days to begin large-scale testing of Hoosiers.

Launching this partnership with Optum further expands Indianas COVID-19 testing capacity, said Gov. Holcomb. These free tests will be available in locations across the state, ensuring even more Hoosiers who have symptoms or an affected family member can get tested for coronavirus.

In the first 30 days, 100,000 Hoosiers are expected to be tested. Testing is for any symptomatic Hoosier, close contacts of positive cases, or residents of congregate living settings.

Hoosiers can get tested without visiting a healthcare provider. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box will issue a standing order for the test for any Hoosier who meets the criteria.

In the next seven days, 20 testing sites will open in Indiana National Guard armories and an additional 30 testing sites will open in the next 14 days for a total of 50 testing sites. Each site will be open for at least eight hours per day, Monday Friday. A map is attached.

Testing will be by appointment only. Registration will open 48 hours before testing sites open. To sign up for an appointment, Hoosiers will register through the Optum portal that will launch soon and self-report symptoms using an online screening tool. A hotline phone number will be added soon.

Hoosiers will receive results within 48 hours on average. Results will be provided to the patient via a phone call if the test is positive or via an email or text if the test is negative.

Hoosiers will not be charged for testing and insurance is not required. If you have private health insurance, please bring that information with you.

We have been working diligently to increase access to testing throughout Indiana with drive-thru clinics and strike teams, said Dr. Box. By joining forces with Optum, we will ensure that testing for COVID-19 is available to Hoosiers who need it most.

OptumServe will collect the swabs specimens, and manage the testing and reporting of data. OptumServe is providing its own supplies, PPE, testing kits, staffing and lab increasing Indianas overall testing capacity. The Indiana State Department of Health will continue to target focused testing and high risk populations in its testing.

An estimated 4,400 more Hoosiers will be tested every day in the initial phase. Once all 50 sites are open, as many as 6,600 more Hoosiers can be tested per day.