Major Health Partners (MHP) will begin resuming services this week that had previously been suspended due to COVID-19. This change falls in line with Indiana Governor Holcomb’s Executive Order issued Friday, April 24 to reopen essential health care services.  These services include in-person office visits as well as elective procedures and surgeries at the MHP Medical Center. The reopening process will be a slow and controlled process. 

“Our primary concern is the safety of our patients, their families and our staff,” said MHP Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Paula Gustafson.  Over the last few weeks, MHP shifted its operations to prepare for a surge of COVID-19 patients.  Extra precautions were initiated and new policies and procedures have been developed to help keep patients and staff safe and protected.   “Because of our advanced planning we are ready and able to safely provide care for our patients,” said Gustafson.  “We need to begin providing the necessary care that was temporarily delayed by the crisis.”

Reopening services does not, however, mean things will immediately return to ‘normal’.  Many COVID-19-related processes, such as screenings at entrances, restricting visitors, using PPE (personal protective equipment), and utilizing dedicated departments and care sites for patients with COVID-19 symptoms, will remain in place for the foreseeable future.  Universal masking for all providers, staff, patients and visitors at MHP will be ongoing. “The precautions we have taken make us as safe—if not safer—than other public places,” said Gustafson,

In public places, we encourage people to continue to follow the guidelines recommended by the CDC, including social distancing, frequent hand washing, and wearing masks in public places.  “These measures are part of our ‘new normal,’ everywhere we go, until breakthroughs in vaccination or treatment allow otherwise,” said Dr. Gustafson. 

Below are additional guidelines and protocols that will continue at the MHP Medical Center and outpatient clinics:

• Video visits or telephone consults will be used when appropriate.
• Visitor restrictions will remain in place.
• Screenings for COVID-19 symptoms at all entrances will continue. This screening helps protect patients and staff by routing “high risk” patients to separate dedicated care locations, freeing up all other MHP offices and facilities to provide timely and safe care for non-respiratory patients.
• Patients with symptoms of COVID-19 should continue to use the COVID-19 hotline, 317-392-DOCS (3627).
• Increased cleaning and disinfection in patient and public areas, including some structural changes to better protect the public as well as staff.
• MHP Café will continue to be closed to the general public.

These guidelines and protocols are fluid and subject to change as we continue to assess the activity of COVID-19 in our community and local region, as well as other factors that could affect patient and staff safety. 

A subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson may have a vaccine for the coronavirus and plans to use a facility in Bloomington to help manufacture it.

Johnson & Johnson says it's leading vaccine candidate for the COVID-19 virus is still in development and hopes to start conducting clinical trials in September. Until then, the company needs to make more of it and has partnered with Catalant, Inc. to do it.

Catalant tells Inside Indiana Business it plans to add 300 jobs to it's facility in Bloomington in order to help start making the vaccine.

Absentee voting will begin in the lobby of the Shelby County Courthouse on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.

Voting hours will be Tuesday through Friday starting May 26 to May 29 during the hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.  The Courthouse will also be open for voting on Saturday, May 30, 2020 from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm., and Monday, June 1, 2020 from 8:00 am to noon. 

Anyone wishing to vote at the Courthouse please use the west entrance off the parking lot. Absentee voting will be conducted on the first floor of the Courthouse.

With the COVID-19 pandemic and concern for public safety, we encourage anyone wanting to vote early, to vote by mail, if possible, to reduce public contact. May 21, 2020 is the deadline by 11:59 pm for the Circuit Court Clerk to receive an absentee ballot application from an applicant requesting delivery of an absentee ballot by mail. Applications may be submitted to the Circuit Court Clerk in person, by fax, by mail or by e-mail. 

Any questions regarding the Primary Election to be held June 2, 2020, the public can call the Voter Registration Office at 317-392-6324.

The WARN notice for Indiana Grand Racing & Casino layoffs has been received by the state.

The move impacts over 1100 employees.

Going out to eat, to a concert, to a ballgame….all things the public is wondering about during this COVID-19 pandemic.  For David Finkel and Shelbyville’s Strand Theatre concerns about getting back to normal go even beyond that.

Finkel says getting the staffing back together for The Strand must happen before they can even consider scheduling performances.  And that means breaking habits that have been born during the shutdown.

As for getting back to normal, scheduling doesn’t come easy.  Especially for those that call The Strand home.

Finkel mentions just a few of the nearly 40 lost performances so far this year, including a one-man show featuring Winston Churchill.

Finkel says performances may return before the audience does, depending on how the state introduces breaking down the stay-at-home order.  Streaming shows may be a part of beginning again at The Strand.

PK USA in Shelbyville will lay off workers based on the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The motor vehicle stamping plant presented its WARN notice to the state.  The layoffs begin today.

Last week on April 22, the Blue River Community Foundation approved the guidelines for Rapid Relief Grants, and today, just five days later, seven organizations will receive the first round of relief grants totaling over $33,000. These organizations have begun new programs to help those they serve through the COVID-19 crisis, have had an increased need, or have had lost revenue due to cancelled programs. They are: Mainstreet Shelbyville Inc., Arc of Shelby County (Senses), J. Kenneth Self Boys Club (for both Shelbyville and Morristown clubs), Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County, Shelby County Players, Shelby County St. Vincent DePaul Society of Shelby County, and Shares Inc.

The application is available on the Blue River Community Foundation website. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so long as funds are available.

In addition, Pantry Pals (a BRCF fund) has sent two waves of funding to the seven local pantries since March 20^th, totaling $20,750.

A $10,000 grant to Shelby County Development Corporation has helped provide legal guidance to many Shelby County small businesses and non-profits with the CARES act loans. Generous donors John C. DePrez Jr. and Lee Marks used their donor-advised fund to provide meals to MHP Medical Center from The Fiddlers Three Restaurant and Pub, supporting both the hardworking medical professionals and a local restaurant.

In the coming days, BRCF will work closely with SCUFFY to create a plan for the Emergency Relief Initiative through the United Ways of Indiana, which will provide $275,000 to Shelby County to help with relief and recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.

“The Foundation has been working hard to stay current regarding the assistance that is available to individuals, non-profits, and small business in our community.  We have also created the relief grants and will be working with all of our partners toward plans for recovery,” explained Amy Haacker, executive director of the Blue River Community Foundation. The Foundation is keeping this link of resources current (https://indd.adobe.com/view/2e858bdb-3785-4681-9826-2c0af8a759f1), so check back frequently. The link includes other grants that are available for artists, youth serving organizations, and arts and culture organizations.

To join the Blue River Community Foundation in supporting Shelby County, make a tax-deductible donation to the Shelby County Disaster Relief Fund, or any other funds, on our website:https://www.blueriverfoundation.com/donate-now.  Provisions in the CARES act allow donors to deduct $300 from their taxes for charitable contributions, even if they do not itemize.

Troopers from the Indiana State Police Indianapolis District are investigating a citizen's encounter with a possible police impersonator. 

An unidentified suspect pulled over a victim driving on I-74 westbound between the 99 and 103 mile markers, near the Shelby and Marion County line, on April 19. The suspect was driving a black and tan Dodge Charger and activated a full sized red and blue light bar 'emergency lights' to conduct a traffic stop on the victim. The suspect allegedly approached the vehicle from the driver’s side, tapped his flashlight on the window and identified himself as a state trooper. The man then requested the victim's license and registration but never returned to his car with the documents. 

The suspect was described as a black male between five feet, eight inches and six feet, weighing 180 to 200 pounds with a buzzed haircut and mustache. He was wearing a police uniform consisting of a dark blue long sleeve shirt, dark blue pants, a red tie, badge over the left shirt pocket, and gloves. His badge was described as an oval with an eagle on top. The victim did not see any other identification, a hat, gun belt or firearm.

Indiana law requires a police officer to either be in full uniform, or a marked police vehicle to conduct a traffic stop. A police officer in plain clothes and an unmarked vehicle is not permitted to make a traffic stop for a traffic violation. 

Anyone with information about this suspect or suspect vehicle is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 317-232-TIPS (8477)

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today signed Executive Order 20-23 to allow health care providers and facilities to resume elective medical procedures provided they have sufficient quantities of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and consult the best practices and recommendations developed by their medical associations or industries.

Providers include hospital, veterinarians, dentists and others listed in Executive Order 20-22.

Click here to see the executive order: https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm

Payton DuVall may only be in the 5^th grade, but this year her artistic talent has received quite a few accolades.

Her design was chosen for the Loperchaun 5K Run T-shirt, before the event was cancelled due to social distancing. And now, she has been selected as the Grand Prize Winner of the SCUFFY Art Contest.

Fourth and fifth grade art students from across the county participated in this year’s SCUFFY Art Contest.  Luckily, SCUFFY was able to gather the entries before schools and businesses shut down. A panel of three judges reviewed all of the artwork submitted and selected the top picks.

First place winners from each school in Shelby County received a $20.00 Chamber Check gift certificate and first, second and third place received ribbons. Those prizes were sponsored by five generous community donors who have an interest in the arts and youth: Boys and Girls Club, The Bicycle Shop, Brammer & Yeend, Girls Inc. and Shelby County Players.

Payton received her award and picked out her prize – a new bicycle from The Bicycle Shop – on Friday, April 24.

With Payton at celebrate her award were her parents, Missy DuVall and Joe DuVall and her sister Ella – as well as Loper Art Teacher Eric Sutton and his classroom assistant/mother Erika Vredeveld. SCUFFY’s new Executive Director Alecia Gross was also on hand to present the grand prize ribbon.

Payton’s mom said that Payton always gives 110% effort to assignments. “Drawing is something she really enjoys. She must have got her talent from her dad,” Missy DuVall joked.

Payton said she really enjoyed creating the SCUFFY Art. Some of the elements in her piece included a sprawled-out pig, a VW bug Meals on Wheels delivery car, and a purple ribbon representing the Cancer Association of Shelby County. She said she wanted to show how SCUFFY provides services throughout the county – not just in one location. And she explained that, “almost every farm has a pig somewhere in the mud.”

Gross said that she remembers participating in the SCUFFY Art Contest in elementary school. “My big accomplishment was coming in second place one year,” she said. “It is a great honor to be able to recognize talent such as Payton’s.”

“The Art Contest and Voice of SCUFFY contests are great ways to educate the youth in our community and help get them engaged in the mission of SCUFFY and its agencies,” Gross added.

The SCUFFY Art Contest is open to all Shelby County children in grades 4 and 5.   from each school in the Shelbyville Central, Southwestern, Northwestern and Shelby Eastern school districts, as well as in the category of private schools/homeschools – giving great incentive for children, and schools, to participate. 

Sutton said that his students spent about five weeks developing and executing their artwork. This year he decided to mix things up a bit by having the students build their entries from cut-out construction paper.

“I think they enjoyed the process of cutting and gluing and pasting together their art. They were able to choose any colors they wanted and really make it their own,” Sutton said.

As part of the project, Sutton discussed with his classes each of the SCUFFY agencies and the role they play in supporting our community. He then displayed the theme and agency logos and talked about the main idea for the poster.

SCUFFY’s 66^th drive helps support its twelve member agencies: Boy Scouts, Boys Club, Cancer Association of Shelby County, Project Clothes for Kids, Girls Inc., Girl Scouts, Head Start, Meals on Wheels, The Salvation Army, Shelby Senior Services, Turning Point, and USO of Indiana.

Vredeveld said she helped take Sutton’s idea and simplify it for the students. The students learned about different types of bridges – walking, trestle and highway – and how to use colors to depict different settings.

The Bicycle Shop owner Tim McKinney helped Payton choose a bike to fit her properly. He said, “Donating the bike is a way to give something to the community. SCUFFY does so much for so many.” McKinney began donating a bike to the SCUFFY Art Contest winner in 1993. But the tradition has been in place for many years prior to that.

He said his former business partner Kevin McLeod had owned a Schwinn shop in downtown Shelbyville for many years. That store was donating bikes to the cause in the early 1980s. From there, the tradition has continued.

Payton’s father Joe DuVall said he tells both of his girls every day that he couldn’t be more proud of them – they are both amazing children. “I guess I need to get myself a bike now so we can enjoy some family bike rides,” he concluded.

Other county winners were:

Hendricks Fourth Grade: 1^st Chloe Higdon, 2^nd Conner Owens 3^rd Reagan Dillon; Hendricks Fifth Grade 1^st   Brad Theobald, 2^nd Andrew Owens, 3^rd Bella Mounger

Loper 4^th Grade: 1^st Chloe Claxton, 2^nd Ava Borchardt, 3^rd   Gracie Jacobs; Loper 5^th Grade 1^st DuVall, 2^nd Chase Johnson, 3^rd Emma Rios

Morristown 4^th Grade: 1^st Taylor Nicole Tragesser, 2^nd Chloe Longwell, 3^rd  Landen Rinzel; Morristown 5^th Grade: 1^st Eli Joseph Graves, 2^nd No entry, 3^rd No entry

St. Joseph 4^th Grade: 1^st Myriam Leon-Cruz, 2^nd Macey Robbins, 3^rd I-ris Diaz; St. Joseph 5^th Grade:1^st Maddie Huntsman, 2^nd Molly Johnson, 3^rd Taylor Abell

Southwestern Elementary 4^th Grade: 1^st Hayden Billerman, 2^nd Mallory McInerny, 3^rd Haley Hansford; Southwestern Elementary 5^th Grade: 1^st Emma Bonebrake, 2^ndAutumn Collins, 3^rd Kelsey Stringer

Triton Elementary 4^th Grade: 1^stMadison Swisher, 2^nd Bryan Aukerman, 3^rd Bronwen Craft; Triton Middle School 5^th Grade: no entries

Waldron 4^th Grade: 1^{s t}Macy Larrison, 2^nd Abigail Lockridge, 3^rd Maritza Cardemas; Waldron 5^th Grade: 1^st Jazmyne Schultz, 2^nd Brooklyn Milbourn, 3^rd Avery Haehl

Coulston 4^th Grade: 1^st Julie Garrison, 2^nd Brigid McKenney, 3^rd Donna Mariscal; Coulston 5^th Grade: 1^st Megan Harpring, 2^nd Erica Viderique-Carreto, 3^rd Harika Patel

All of the winning artwork will be featured on SCUFFY’s website (www.scuffy.org) and via social media (Facebook: Shelby County United Fund; Twitter and Instagram @scuffy3). 

• GENERAL UPDATES FOR THE PUBLIC:
  • Resumption of services:  We are planning a soft and deliberate reopening, which could happen as early as next week.  Our approach will be to consider the Governor’s guidance, physician and staff considerations, our supply of PPE, supply of necessary medications, and patient safety.  We anticipate some patients may be hesitant to come to the hospital for a period of time after the crisis subsides.  We believe our soft opening approach will ease those fears and ensure the safest possible environment for patients and staff. MHP was already prepared as we intentionally separated inpatient volumes from the beginning of the crisis by keeping confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases on the third-floor unit and all non-COVID-19 inpatients on the first-floor ambulatory care center unit.  Likewise, we conducted all outpatient respiratory illness visits outside the MHP Medical Center and conducted all those at either Priority Care or our Washington Street Clinic.  All these precautions should instill confidence in the public that patient safety and quality outcomes are our highest priorities.
  • Free Virtual Visit for MHP Employees at MHP Psychology:  MHP Psychology is offering a free 30-minute virtual visit for MHP employees who are feeling overwhelmed and need a listening ear. This service will be provided Monday through Friday 9:00am to 2:00pm. Employees should call MHP Psychology at 317-392-2971, and ask to speak to a provider.  If your schedule requires an appointment outside these hours, please let us know and we will work to accommodate you. 
  • Community Support Event:  Some churches in the community will conduct a drive-through showing support to our extended care facilities and the MHP Medical Center.  They plan to complete their drive at MHP with a prayer service.  Giant 98 plans to broadcast it.  This will be held Sunday, May 3^rd and they plan to arrive at MHP sometime around 6:30-7PM. 
  • ISHAA Sports Physicals:  The IHSAA has updated school physical requirements for the 2020-2021 season.  ISHAA will waive the requirement for a new updated physical.  Athletes must have a physical from the 2019-2020 season on file to participate.  If they do not, they must have a physical completed after April 1, 2019.  Incoming freshmen will also be able to use their physical form from 2019-2020.  Transfer students must provide a copy from their previous school for the 2019-2020 season.   

• SUPPLY UPDATES:
  • Masks:  Medium-sized half masks have arrived. 
  • Cavi wipes:  Our vendor has been unable to supply these for quite some time.  Clorox/Lysol wipes would make an excellent substitute.  If you have these and are willing to donate, please contact us.    
  • We need your empty hand sanitizer bottles.  We are making our own hand sanitizer and need your empty containers in order to reuse.      
  • Do you have items that you would like to donate?  (hand sanitizer, masks, respirators, gloves, N95, bouffant caps, or gowns).  If so, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org)
  • Food Donations:  Several community supporters have called to offer to donate food for our staff and physicians.  Some are also doing it as a way to support those restaurants who are struggling to stay afloat while they are only open for carryout.  We are extremely grateful for all the community support and selfless gestures.  If you would like to find out more information, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org).   

• PATIENTS TREATED AT OUR RESPIRATORY CLINIC LOCATIONS:
  • Priority Care located at 30 W. Rampart Road: Treated 10 patients yesterday with respiratory signs/symptoms.  Priority Care is open 7AM-7PM Monday through Friday and 8AM-2PM on Saturdays and Sundays.  
  • Washington St. Clinic located at 157 W. Washington St:  Treated 10 patients yesterday with respiratory signs/symptoms. Washington St. Clinic is open 8AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

• MHP TESTING STATUS:
  • Number of MHP patients tested: 678
  • Number of pending results: 57
  • Number of positive results: 134 (increase of 30 since yesterday)
    • Currently, we have 8 inpatients that have tested positive and 7 inpatients have pending results.
  • If you want updated statistics for Shelby County and/or the State of Indiana, please visit https://coronavirus.in.gov/.      
  • If you want updated statistics for the United States, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html

• TESTING AVAILABILITY:  
  • Number of available swabs/media: 50, plus an additional 190 GuideMed testing kits available through Priority Care or the Washington Street Clinic.  We will continue to follow the ISDH/CDC testing protocols to determine which patients are eligible for testing.  The testing criteria was updated this week and is available on the ISDH website.   

• MHP INPATIENT STATUS:
  • Current number of 3^rd floor inpatients:  18
  • Current number of patients with respiratory related diagnoses: 17 (4 patients on a critical care vent and 0 on BiPap and 0 on a trilogy device)
  • Number of available beds on the 3^rd floor: 22
  • Number of inpatients in the ACC unit: 9 with 13 beds available

• MHP EMERGENCY DEPT STATUS:
  • Number of ER patients in last 24 hours: 43
  • Number of ER patients with respiratory signs/symptoms: 8 (representing 19%)

• RESOURCES: 
  • https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/dc74772707d94db9a7d24d30ffdcf36c     
  • https://www.mymhp.org/services/virtual-visits/  or 392-DOCS (answered 24/7)
  • https://coronavirus.in.gov/.      
  • https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html
  • Indiana State Dept of Health Call Center for Healthcare workers and the general public (staffed 8AM-8PM) (317) 233-7125.  Please call (317) 233-1325 after hours. 
  • For the Shelby County Health Department, please call (317) 392-6470.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today signed an executive order to speed up the review of unemployment insurance claim appeals during the fight against COVID-19.

The executive order 20-23 allows the Department of Workforce Development to hire additional staff to review the appeals.  

The executive order also waives paperwork requirements to help businesses apply for federal assistance under programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), and temporarily waives requirements for documents connected to certain alcohol permits.

Additionally, the executive order extends the business personal property tax deadlines to June 15, 2020.

• GENERAL UPDATES FOR THE PUBLIC:
  • Deals and discounts for healthcare workers and first responders: 
    • https://dealhack.com/blog/first-responder-discounts-guide
    • https://www.averagesocialite.com/average-socialite/2020/4/1/perks-for-covid-19-healthcare-workers#medical
    • https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/free-thank-you-meal.html
    • Starbucks:  Now through May 3, any customer who identifies as a front-line responder to the COVID-19 outbreak will receive a tall brewed coffee (hot or iced) at no charge.
    • https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2020/04/21/coronavirus-free-meals-mcdonalds-first-responders-healthcare-workers/2995207001/ 
  • MHP employees who tested positive or were off work:  To date, we have only had 3 employees that have tested positive.  We have a handful of employees who were not tested but presumed to be positive and on leave as a precaution.  We believe these very low numbers illustrate a few points; (1) our staff are properly using PPE and following all precautions; (2) MHP has provided the necessary PPE for our staff and patients; and (3) MHP has the best trained, prepared and equipped healthcare staff in Central Indiana.  Stay vigilant!  
  • ISHAA Sports Physicals:  The IHSAA has updated school physical requirements for the 2020-2021 season.  ISHAA will waive the requirement for a new updated physical.  Athletes must have a physical from the 2019-2020 season on file to participate.  If they do not, they must have a physical completed after April 1, 2019.  Incoming freshmen will also be able to use their physical form from 2019-2020.  Transfer students must provide a copy from their previous school for the 2019-2020 season.   

• SUPPLY UPDATES:
  • We need your empty hand sanitizer bottles.  We are making our own hand sanitizer and need your empty containers in order to reuse.      
  • Do you have items that you would like to donate?  (hand sanitizer, masks, respirators, gloves, N95, bouffant caps, or gowns).  If so, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org)
  • Food Donations:  Several community supporters have called to offer to donate food for our staff and physicians.  Some are also doing it as a way to support those restaurants who are struggling to stay afloat while they are only open for carryout.  We are extremely grateful for all the community support and selfless gestures.  If you would like to find out more information, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org).   

• PATIENTS TREATED AT OUR RESPIRATORY CLINIC LOCATIONS:
  • Priority Care located at 30 W. Rampart Road: Treated 19 patients yesterday with respiratory signs/symptoms.  Priority Care is open 7AM-7PM Monday through Friday and 8AM-2PM on Saturdays and Sundays.  
  • Washington St. Clinic located at 157 W. Washington St:  Treated 9 patients yesterday with respiratory signs/symptoms. Washington St. Clinic is open 8AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

• MHP TESTING STATUS:
  • Number of MHP patients tested: 650
  • Number of pending results: 72
  • Number of positive results: 117 (increase of 17 since yesterday)
    • Currently, we have 6 inpatients that have tested positive and 9 inpatients have pending results.
  • If you want updated statistics for Shelby County and/or the State of Indiana, please visit https://coronavirus.in.gov/.      
  • If you want updated statistics for the United States, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html

• TESTING AVAILABILITY:  
  • Number of available swabs/media: 2, plus an additional 180 GuideMed testing kits available through Priority Care or the Washington Street Clinic.  We will continue to follow the ISDH/CDC testing protocols to determine which patients are eligible for testing.  The testing criteria was updated this week and is available on the ISDH website.   

• MHP INPATIENT STATUS:
  • Current number of 3^rd floor inpatients:  17
  • Current number of patients with respiratory related diagnoses: 17 (4 patients on a critical care vent and 0 on BiPap and 0 on a trilogy device)
  • Number of available beds: 23
  • 7 inpatients are in the ACC unit with 15 available beds

• MHP EMERGENCY DEPT STATUS:
  • Number of ER patients in last 24 hours: 40
  • Number of ER patients with respiratory signs/symptoms: 8 (representing 20%)

• RESOURCES: 
  • https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/dc74772707d94db9a7d24d30ffdcf36c     
  • https://www.mymhp.org/services/virtual-visits/  or 392-DOCS (answered 24/7)
  • https://coronavirus.in.gov/.      
  • https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html
  • Indiana State Dept of Health Call Center for Healthcare workers and the general public (staffed 8AM-8PM) (317) 233-7125.  Please call (317) 233-1325 after hours. 
  • For the Shelby County Health Department, please call (317) 392-6470.

A Cincinnati man crashed his car in Shelbyville then denied he was in the car.

Shelbyville Police  report Sean Thomas Walker was the driver of a vehicle that exited I-74, crossed State Road 44 and crashed at 1:45 pm Monday.  Walker walked to the nearby gas station to purchase a few items.  From there, he left walking east.

He was found by police walking from the scene.  Officers say he denied being in the car but witnesses identified him.

Walker was charged with leaving the scene and driving while suspended.

The Shelby County Department of Health announced Tuesday 30 individuals diagnosed, with tests pending, of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) reported at Morristown Manor. They have also had two deaths. One male and one female resident from Shelby County.

Shelby County has had 7 deaths from the coronavirus pandemic.

“We know that people older than 60 with underlying health conditions are most at risk during this pandemic,” Local Health Officer Dr. Loman said. “We ask that everyone join in our efforts to protect these vulnerable people by not visiting long-term care facilities, but rather using other options, such as offering residents access to mobile devices to continue virtual contact with loved ones through email or video-call applications.”

No further information about the patientswill be released due to privacy laws.

We are working closely with Major Health Partners, local, state and federal officials to continue with infection control protocols to prevent further spread within the facility and county.

Shelby County has used over 500 tests, with over 110 positive Covid-19 results in our county. 

Our local department has completed over 60 contact tracings during our Covid -19 case investigations.The Health Department continues to reach out to those individuals who have tested positive by phone or mail depending on demographic information available. If you have been tested or have tested positive please call the local health department and leave your name and best phone number and we will return your call. Your assistance helps prevent the spread and assists in our knowledge of this new infectious disease.

To prevent community spread, long-term care facilities should be following the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) guidelines:

• Identify a separate space that is used only for confirmed or presumed COVID-19 patients;
• Limit patient contact to only essential direct care providers;
• Establish a tracking system to monitor and manage infection control activities and residents and staff member who are symptomatic

For a complete list of the ISDH guidelines for long-term care facilities visit ISDH Covid-19 website.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a novel, or new, coronavirus that has not been previously identified. It is not the same as the type of coronavirus that causes the common cold.

COVID-19 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.

Many people who acquire COVID-19 will have mild symptoms, can self-isolate and do not need to be tested. Older individuals and those with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for severe illness.

The best ways to protect yourself are to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay home when you’re sick, cover your cough or sneeze and clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Visit the Indiana State Department of Health’sCOVID-19 website at https://coronavirus.IN.gov for more information, includingfrequently asked questions about COVID-19.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb Monday issued a revised Stay At Home order that lasts through May 1 and is designed to limit interactions among Hoosiers to increase containment of COVID-19. As of today, 11,686 people have tested positive and 569 people have died from the disease in Indiana. There are now positive tests in 92 of 92 counties. Click here to see the executive order: https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm

As a part of this action, Gov. Holcomb also extended through May 1 the orders that limit in-person public activity at state government offices and put restrictions on the operation of restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

“I want to thank Hoosiers in every corner of our state who have stayed socially-distanced and hunkered down. Lives are being saved, and we’re slowing the spread,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Continuing the course at this time is essential to flattening the curve while we also prepare to safely reopen Indiana for business.”

While the Stay At Home order chiefly continues as is, EO 20-22 brings clarity to some essential businesses.

• As long as sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE), staff and other supplies are available for the COVID-19 response, hospitals should conduct medically necessary procedures, such as those determining cancer diagnosis and cardiac issues, respiratory procedures, and procedures to reduce significant pain or symptoms making quality of life unacceptable.
  • Any restrictions involving medical procedures will be evaluated every seven days for appropriate and timely modifications that could be implemented.
• Permitted outdoor activity as described in the executive order includes yard work, gardening, planting and landscaping at residential, commercial and industrial properties and farms.
  • Nurseries and garden centers may be open for business as long as they limit the number of customers in their facility at any given time to achieve the Centers for Disease Control’s required social distancing, limit their hours of operation and consider implementing separate operating hours for the elderly and other vulnerable customers, and comply with the social distancing, sanitation and other mitigation measure to protect its employees and the public.
• Pet grooming at a pet salon, store or mobile unit is permitted.

The Critical Industries Hotline continues to be available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to respond to business and industry questions about whether a business is considered essential. The center may be reached by calling 877-820-0890 or by emailing covidresponse@iedc.in.gov

Answers to frequently asked questions and instructions to file for COVID-19-related unemployment are available at Unemployment.IN.gov.

A link to the updated Stay-At-Home Order FAQ may be found here: https://www.in.gov/gov/3232.htm Please refer to this FAQ page for guidance and clarifications. 

Need a Telehealth Visit?:  https://www.mymhp.org/services/virtual-visits/ 

• GENERAL UPDATES FOR THE PUBLIC:
  • Drive-thru COVID testing now through Wednesday:  Decatur County Fairgrounds in Greensburg has drive-thru testing available for healthcare workers, first responders, and essential workers who have symptoms of COVID-19 or family members who have symptoms.  Participants should bring a driver’s license or other State of Indiana-issued identification card and documentation of place of employment. Only symptomatic individuals will be tested. Tests will be conducted as long as supplies last and will be limited to one individual per vehicle.  A doctor’s order or an appointment are not required.  Decatur County Fairgrounds, 545 S. Co. Rd. 200 W, Greensburg.  Testing dates are limited to 4/20 through 4/22 from 9am -6pm.   (877) 826-0011  is the phone number for questions and there is a chat line for questions at www.coronavirus.in.gov     
  • Maternity care patients:  We will begin testing our maternity care patients beginning this week.    
  • FREE car wash at Crew Carwash:  If you are a front-line Doctor, Nurse, Medical Professional, Police Officer, Firefighter or EMT, please show your valid ID and employee badge for a free carwash during the month of April at any Crew location.  

• SUPPLY UPDATES:
  • We need your empty hand sanitizer bottles.  We are making our own hand sanitizer and need your empty containers in order to reuse.      
  • Do you have items that you would like to donate?  (hand sanitizer, masks, respirators, gloves, N95, bouffant caps, or gowns).  If so, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org)
  • Food Donations:  Several community supporters have called to offer to donate food for our staff and physicians.  Some are also doing it as a way to support those restaurants who are struggling to stay afloat while they are only open for carryout.  We are extremely grateful for all the community support and selfless gestures.  If you would like to find out more information, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org).   

• PATIENTS TREATED AT OUR RESPIRATORY CLINIC LOCATIONS:
  • Priority Care located at 30 W. Rampart Road: Treated 15 patients yesterday with respiratory signs/symptoms.  Priority Care is open 7AM-7PM Monday through Friday and 8AM-2PM on Saturdays and Sundays.  
  • Washington St. Clinic located at 157 W. Washington St:  Closed on weekends.  Washington St. Clinic is open 8AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

• MHP TESTING STATUS:
  • Number of MHP patients tested: 565
  • Number of pending results: 57
  • Number of positive results: 99 (increase of 21 since yesterday)
    • Currently, we have 4 inpatients that have tested positive and 8 inpatients have pending results.        
  • If you want updated statistics for Shelby County and/or the State of Indiana, please visit https://coronavirus.in.gov/.      
  • If you want updated statistics for the United States, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html

• TESTING AVAILABILITY:  
  • Number of available swabs/media: 50, plus an additional 200 GuideMed testing kits available through Priority Care or the Washington Street Clinic.  We will continue to follow the ISDH/CDC testing protocols to determine which patients are eligible for testing.  The testing criteria was updated this week and is available on the ISDH website.   

• MHP INPATIENT STATUS:
  • Current number of inpatients:  13
  • Current number of patients with respiratory related diagnoses: 12 (3 patients on a critical care vent and 1 on BiPap and 0 on a trilogy device)
  • Number of available beds: 27
  • 9 inpatients are in the ACC unit with 13 available beds

• MHP EMERGENCY DEPT STATUS:
  • Number of ER patients in last 24 hours: 32
  • Number of ER patients with respiratory signs/symptoms: 5 (representing 16%)

• RESOURCES: 
  • https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/dc74772707d94db9a7d24d30ffdcf36c     
  • https://www.mymhp.org/services/virtual-visits/  or 392-DOCS (answered 24/7)
  • https://coronavirus.in.gov/.      
  • https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html
  • Indiana State Dept of Health Call Center for Healthcare workers and the general public (staffed 8AM-8PM) (317) 233-7125.  Please call (317) 233-1325 after hours. 
  • For the Shelby County Health Department, please call (317) 392-6470.

Need a Telehealth Visit?:  https://www.mymhp.org/services/virtual-visits/ 

• GENERAL UPDATES FOR THE PUBLIC:
  • Drive-thru COVID testing now through Wednesday:  Decatur County Fairgrounds in Greensburg has drive-thru testing available for healthcare workers, first responders, and essential workers who have symptoms of COVID-19 or family members who have symptoms.  Participants should bring a driver’s license or other State of Indiana-issued identification card and documentation of place of employment. Only symptomatic individuals will be tested. Tests will be conducted as long as supplies last and will be limited to one individual per vehicle.  A doctor’s order or an appointment are not required.  Decatur County Fairgrounds, 545 S. Co. Rd. 200 W, Greensburg.  Testing dates are limited to 4/20 through 4/22 from 9am -6pm.   (877) 826-0011  is the phone number for questions and there is a chat line for questions at www.coronavirus.in.gov     
  • Maternity care patients:  We will begin testing our maternity care patients beginning this week.    
  • FREE car wash at Crew Carwash:  If you are a front-line Doctor, Nurse, Medical Professional, Police Officer, Firefighter or EMT, please show your valid ID and employee badge for a free carwash during the month of April at any Crew location.  

• SUPPLY UPDATES:
  • We need your empty hand sanitizer bottles.  We are making our own hand sanitizer and need your empty containers in order to reuse.      
  • Do you have items that you would like to donate?  (hand sanitizer, masks, respirators, gloves, N95, bouffant caps, or gowns).  If so, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org)
  • Food Donations:  Several community supporters have called to offer to donate food for our staff and physicians.  Some are also doing it as a way to support those restaurants who are struggling to stay afloat while they are only open for carryout.  We are extremely grateful for all the community support and selfless gestures.  If you would like to find out more information, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org).   

• PATIENTS TREATED AT OUR RESPIRATORY CLINIC LOCATIONS:
  • Priority Care located at 30 W. Rampart Road: Treated 15 patients yesterday with respiratory signs/symptoms.  Priority Care is open 7AM-7PM Monday through Friday and 8AM-2PM on Saturdays and Sundays.  
  • Washington St. Clinic located at 157 W. Washington St:  Closed on weekends.  Washington St. Clinic is open 8AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

• MHP TESTING STATUS:
  • Number of MHP patients tested: 565
  • Number of pending results: 57
  • Number of positive results: 99 (increase of 21 since yesterday)
    • Currently, we have 4 inpatients that have tested positive and 8 inpatients have pending results.        
  • If you want updated statistics for Shelby County and/or the State of Indiana, please visit https://coronavirus.in.gov/.      
  • If you want updated statistics for the United States, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html

• TESTING AVAILABILITY:  
  • Number of available swabs/media: 50, plus an additional 200 GuideMed testing kits available through Priority Care or the Washington Street Clinic.  We will continue to follow the ISDH/CDC testing protocols to determine which patients are eligible for testing.  The testing criteria was updated this week and is available on the ISDH website.   

• MHP INPATIENT STATUS:
  • Current number of inpatients:  13
  • Current number of patients with respiratory related diagnoses: 12 (3 patients on a critical care vent and 1 on BiPap and 0 on a trilogy device)
  • Number of available beds: 27
  • 9 inpatients are in the ACC unit with 13 available beds

• MHP EMERGENCY DEPT STATUS:
  • Number of ER patients in last 24 hours: 32
  • Number of ER patients with respiratory signs/symptoms: 5 (representing 16%)

• RESOURCES: 
  • https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/dc74772707d94db9a7d24d30ffdcf36c     
  • https://www.mymhp.org/services/virtual-visits/  or 392-DOCS (answered 24/7)
  • https://coronavirus.in.gov/.      
  • https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html
  • Indiana State Dept of Health Call Center for Healthcare workers and the general public (staffed 8AM-8PM) (317) 233-7125.  Please call (317) 233-1325 after hours. 
  • For the Shelby County Health Department, please call (317) 392-6470.

Interstate 70 will be completely shut down this week in downtown Indianapolis from the North Split to I-465 on the east side. It's for a rehab project that INDOT had originally said would take five months to complete this spring and into the summer months.

The eastbound lanes of the interstate are already closed and the westbound lanes will be closed off by Friday. The eastbound lanes will reopen May 14th while the westbound lanes will reopen May 22.

The department had planned on using partial closures on the stretch of interstates since so many people use it to get in and out of the city, but because of Gov. Holcomb's stay at home order due to the coronavirus 50-percent fewer people are coming in and out of downtown. So they decided to completely shut down I-70.

"There are a lot less people coming into the city right now so we thought we'd take advantage of that and get this work done," said INDOT spokeswoman Mallory Duncan to WISH-TV. "It gives us hours and hours of work that our guys don't have to do now."

Duncan said under partial closures, it takes a lot of time and effort to build new traffic patterns to divert traffic around the parts of the interstate they are working on. That, in turn, makes the project last longer. With the complete closure, they don't have to do that and focus solely on the rehab work.

What was a five-month-long project will now be finished in 30 days, said Duncan. That will also save INDOT and taxpayers around $10 million.

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) announced it will host free COVID-19 drive-thru testing clinics from Monday through Wednesday in Allen, Clark, Decatur and Lake counties. This is a correction to the previous schedule announced earlier today.

The clinics will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day through Wednesday, or until testing supplies run out. They are open to symptomatic healthcare workers, first responders and essential workers. Testing also is available to symptomatic individuals who live with one of these workers and people who have symptoms of COVID-19 and underlying medical conditions that put them at higher risk, such as obesity, high blood pressure or heart disease.

The locations are:

• St. Timothy Church
  1600 W 25^th Ave, Gary, IN 46404
   
• Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne – Coliseum Campus
  3800 N. Anthony Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46805
   
• Decatur County Fairgrounds
  545 S. Co. Rd. 200 W, Greensburg, IN 47240
   
• Ivy Tech Community College Sellersburg
  8204 Hwy 311, Sellersburg, IN 47172

Testing is limited to one individual per vehicle. All individuals must be Indiana residents and present state-issued identification at the time of testing.

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today announced it will host free COVID-19 drive-thru testing clinics from Monday through Friday in Allen, Clark, Decatur and Lake counties.

The clinics will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, or until testing supplies run out. They are open to symptomatic healthcare workers, first responders and essential workers. Testing also is available to symptomatic individuals who live with one of these workers , as well as to people who have symptoms of COVID-19 and underlying medical conditions that put them at higher risk, such as obesity, high blood pressure or diabetes.

Testing is limited to one person per vehicle. All individuals must be Indiana residents and present state-issued identification at the time of testing.

The locations are:

• St. Timothy Church
  1600 W 25^th Ave, Gary, IN 46404
   
• Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne – Coliseum Campus
  3800 N. Anthony Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46805
   
• Decatur County Fairgrounds
  545 S. Co. Rd. 200 W, Greensburg, IN 47240
   
• Ivy Tech Community College Sellersburg
  8204 Hwy 311, Sellersburg, IN 47172

ISDH also announced today that 577 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 11,210 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total.

A total of 562 Hoosiers have died to date. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days.

To date, 61,142 tests have been reported to ISDH, up from 56,873 on Saturday.

Marion County had the most new cases, at 266. Other counties with more than 10 new cases were Cass (19), Delaware (18), Grant (20), Hamilton (20), Hendricks (38), Johnson (17), Lake (12), Madison (10) and St. Joseph (15). The Lake County totals include results from East Chicago and Gary, which have their own health departments.

The complete list of counties with cases is included in the ISDH COVID-19 dashboard at www.coronavirus.in.gov. Cases are listed by county of residence. Private lab reporting may be delayed and will be reflected in the map and count when results are received at ISDH.

The dashboard will be updated at noon each day.

In response to recommendations from Governor Eric Holcomb, Secretary of State Connie Lawson, and the leadership of Indiana’s major political parties, the Indiana Election Commission has issued an order implementing policy changes for the June 2 Primary Election. This follows a previous order issued March 25, 2020.

The complete order detailing each change is available at https://www.in.gov/sos/elections/2404.htm.

The Commission’s order included the following changes, which will apply to the June 2 Primary only:

• Limited early in-person voting will be available for one week, from May 26 to June 1.
• Poll workers are currently required to live in the county they work for. This requirement is waived so long as the voter is registered to vote in Indiana.
• The Secretary of State and the Indiana Election Division will provide counties with training and guidelines on mail handling procedures and personal protective equipment.
• The Commission advises that all public buildings, such as fire stations and school buildings, be available for use for the June 2 Primary.
• All absentee ballot applications submitted after December 2 will be accepted regardless of excuse given, as long as they are otherwise compliant with Indiana law.
• County election boards may adopt more than one central count location.
• Counties may move a polling location after giving best possible notice to the public.

The Commission is next scheduled to meet on April 22, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. ET.

Eligible Hoosiers can register to vote online, check their registration status, and request an absentee ballot by visiting www.IndianaVoters.com. 

Need a Telehealth Visit?:  https://www.mymhp.org/services/virtual-visits/ 

• TELEHEALTH/VIDEO VISIT UPDATES: 
  • 32 orthopaedic walk-in visits at Renovo
  • 133 home visits completed for patients through Family & Internal Medicine
  • 1,355 Total MHP Telehealth visits
  • 776 MHP Family & Internal Medicine Telehealth visits
  • 11 Disease Management Telehealth Visits
  • 2 MHP Nephrology & Infectious Disease home visits, plus 86 telehealth visits
  • 17 MHP OBGYN Telehealth visits
  • 79 MHP Pediatrics Telehealth visits
  • 31 MHP Priority Care Telehealth visits (Washington St. clinic included)
  • 97 MHP Psychology Telehealth visits
  • 181 MHP Pulmonology Telehealth visits
  • 15 MHP Sports Medicine Telehealth visits
  • 31 OnsiteSolutions Telehealth visits
  • 31 MHP Wound Clinic Telehealth visits

• GENERAL UPDATES FOR THE PUBLIC:
  • For MHP employees that need financial assistance with childcare:  Early Learning Shelby County has partnered with the Children’s Bureau to pay for childcare for eligible MHP staff members.  We are in the process of enrolling staff who could benefit from this amazing offer. 
  • Maternity Care testing:  We are going to begin testing all Maternity Care patients at 38 weeks for COVID-19 as a precaution.  This will begin next week. 
  • Extended Care Facilities:  Major Hospital is working closely with all Shelby County extended care facilities.  All Shelbyville and Shelby County government departments and agencies are also equally supportive.  Managing and protecting residents and staff in the ECF environment is a difficult and challenging task.  MHP has 2 Nurse Practitioners and a Physician rounding daily and we want to make sure the public knows that our local nursing homes are following ISDH protocols and doing their very best under these difficult circumstances.  All groups are working together and cooperating in sharing resources, communication and even supplies.  This is a very vulnerable population, so great efforts are in place to protect residents and staff.       
  • Community support event:  Saturday at 1PM,  there will be a car/truck cruise to lift spirits and show community support. This is being organized by a member of the community and MHP is not organizing it, but we certainly appreciate the support.  Their plan is to drive by senior living facilities and MHP to show support for healthcare workers and covid-19 patients. The group is planning to abide by all social distancing rules and recommendations. 

• When can COVID-19 patients be released to work? 
  • People with COVID-19 who have stayed home (home isolated) can stop home isolation under the following conditions:
    • If you will not have a test to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
      • You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers) AND
      • other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
      • at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared
    • If you will be tested to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
      • You no longer have a fever (without the use medicine that reduces fevers) AND
      • other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
      • you received two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart. 

• SUPPLY UPDATES:
  • We need your empty hand sanitizer bottles.  We are making our own hand sanitizer and need your empty containers in order to reuse.      
  • Do you have items that you would like to donate?  (hand sanitizer, masks, respirators, gloves, N95, bouffant caps, or gowns).  If so, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org)
  • Food Donations:  Several community supporters have called to offer to donate food for our staff and physicians.  Some are also doing it as a way to support those restaurants who are struggling to stay afloat while they are only open for carryout.  We are extremely grateful for all the community support and selfless gestures.  If you would like to find out more information, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org).   

• PATIENTS TREATED AT OUR RESPIRATORY CLINIC LOCATIONS:
  • Priority Care located at 30 W. Rampart Road: Treated 9 patients yesterday with respiratory signs/symptoms.  Priority Care is open 7AM-7PM Monday through Friday and 8AM-2PM on Saturdays and Sundays.  
  • Washington St. Clinic located at 157 W. Washington St:  Treated 14 patients yesterday with respiratory signs/symptoms.  Washington St. Clinic is open 8AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

Saturday's Shelbyville Car and Truck Cruise expected to bring dozens of classic cars

Posted About Four Years Ago

It's a moving car show Saturday intended to brighten a rather bleak COVID-19 situation.

 

Brandtley Miller updates information for the Shelbyville Car and Truck Cruise (original story below):

 

 

See the Shelbyville Car and Truck Cruise on Facebook.

 

 

ORIGINAL STORY

Brandtley Miller saw the reaction when he got his classic car out of the garage.  He hopes he can provide more of that this weekend.

 

Miller says he’s putting together a car show.  Or, for the purposes of dealing with COVID-19, a traveling car show.

 

 

The idea for the event was sparked by that drive Miller took a couple weeks ago.

 

 

Miller bought his car in Anchorage, Alaska in 2016 and trailered it all the way back to Indiana.  He was active duty Army and Anchorage was his last duty station.

 

You can see more and make contact with Miller through the event’s Facebook page.  He says they’re still hammering out details.

 

 

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb says on Monday, he will once again extend the statewide stay-at-home order. 

The order will go to Friday, May 1.

Girls Inc President and CEO Amy Dillon explains that keeping in touch with the kids who can't be at the facility due to COVID-19 is her staff's focus.

Also, Dave Fisher highlights the SCUFFY Drive in this Morning Show conversation on GIANT fm.

Need a Telehealth Visit?:  https://www.mymhp.org/services/virtual-visits/ 

• TELEHEALTH/VIDEO VISIT UPDATES: 
  • 27 orthopaedic walk-in visits at Renovo
  • 120 home visits completed for patients through Family & Internal Medicine
  • 1,242 Total MHP Telehealth visits
  • 719 MHP Family & Internal Medicine Telehealth visits
  • 10 Disease Management Telehealth Visits
  • 2 MHP Nephrology & Infectious Disease home visits, plus 77 telehealth visits
  • 15 MHP OBGYN Telehealth visits
  • 68 MHP Pediatrics Telehealth visits
  • 31 MHP Priority Care Telehealth visits (Washington St. clinic included)
  • 89 MHP Psychology Telehealth visits
  • 164 MHP Pulmonology Telehealth visits
  • 15 MHP Sports Medicine Telehealth visits
  • 23 OnsiteSolutions Telehealth visits
  • 31 MHP Wound Clinic Telehealth visits

• GENERAL UPDATES FOR THE PUBLIC:
  • When can COVID-19 patients be released to work? 
    • People with COVID-19 who have stayed home (home isolated) can stop home isolation under the following conditions:
      • If you will not have a test to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
        • You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers) AND
        • other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
        • at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared
      • If you will be tested to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
        • You no longer have a fever (without the use medicine that reduces fevers) AND
        • other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
        • you received two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart. 

• SUPPLY UPDATES:
  • PPE/Supplies:  Steady and stable.  Disposable face shields still needed while awaiting our non-disposable order.  We are expecting delivery of #200 on April 29^th. 
  • Surgical masks for ALL patients.  We currently provide a surgical mask to anyone who enters our facilities with signs or symptoms of respiratory illness.  We will begin providing surgical masks to ALL persons who enter our facilities, regardless of symptoms, and will continue until our supply becomes too low to continue.   
  • Isolation gowns:  Staff have done an excellent job laundering the isolation gowns in-house. 
  • We need your empty hand sanitizer bottles.  We are making our own hand sanitizer and need your empty containers in order to reuse.      
  • Do you have items that you would like to donate?  (hand sanitizer, masks, respirators, gloves, N95, bouffant caps, or gowns).  If so, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org)
  • Food Donations:  Several community supporters have called to offer to donate food for our staff and physicians.  Some are also doing it as a way to support those restaurants who are struggling to stay afloat while they are only open for carryout.  We are extremely grateful for all the community support and selfless gestures.  If you would like to find out more information, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org).   

• PATIENTS TREATED AT OUR RESPIRATORY CLINIC LOCATIONS:
  • Priority Care located at 30 W. Rampart Road: Treated 14 patients yesterday with respiratory signs/symptoms.  Priority Care is open 7AM-7PM Monday through Friday and 8AM-2PM on Saturdays and Sundays.  
  • Washington St. Clinic located at 157 W. Washington St:  Treated 16 patients yesterday with respiratory signs/symptoms.  Washington St. Clinic is open 8AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

• WANT TO CHECK IN WITH A LOVED ONE WHO IS AT MAJOR HOSPITAL?
  • Managing visitation:  Indiana hospitals are strictly enforcing visitation rules.  We are following the same policies.  However, Major Hospital understands you still need to see and hear your loved one.  That’s why we have initiated using FaceTime or Skype connectivity for patients and their family members.  We have dedicated iPads that our patients can use to communicate with the outside world using our dedicated Wi-Fi access.  The inpatient nursing staff is also offering family members a phone number to call in for daily updates and offering to make daily calls to the patient’s family if preferred. 

• MHP TESTING STATUS: Please understand we are only able to report numbers and results of MHP patients who had their testing ordered or performed through MHP.  The Shelby County Health Department receives the positive results for ALL Shelby County residents, regardless of the location where the testing was performed.  If the COVID-19 test was not ordered or performed by MHP, we are not notified of the test or the result.  Consequently, our reported testing data will differ from that information available through the Indiana State Department of Health, the CDC and the Shelby County Health Department. 

• Number of MHP patients tested: 431
• Number of pending results: 51
• Number of positive results: 70 (increase of 18 since yesterday)
  • Currently, we have 5 inpatients that have tested positive and 3 inpatients have pending results.        
• If you want updated statistics for Shelby County and/or the State of Indiana, please visit https://coronavirus.in.gov/.      
• If you want updated statistics for the United States, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html

• TESTING AVAILABILITY:  
  • Number of available swabs/media: 66, plus an additional 140 GuideMed testing kits available through Priority Care or the Washington Street Clinic.  We will continue to follow the ISDH/CDC testing protocols to determine which patients are eligible for testing.  The testing criteria was updated this week and is available on the ISDH website.   
  • The Lilly testing location has expanded its testing criteria to include essential public employees and those in the community considered vulnerable to the virus.  Please visit https://www.info.lillycovid19testing.com/ for more information.
  • Both the Washington St. Clinic and Priority Care are able to test patients for COVID-19.  However, both are continuing to follow the recommended ISDH testing criteria which has been expanded as of 4/8.  Healthcare employees and first responders should obtain testing through the Lilly drive-through testing location.  The hospital lab is not accepting orders for outpatient COVID testing at this time.         

• MHP INPATIENT STATUS:
  • Current number of inpatients:  13
  • Current number of patients with respiratory related diagnoses: 13 (3 patients on a critical care vent and 0 on BiPap and 0 on a trilogy device)
  • Number of available beds: 27
  • 12 patients are in the ACC unit with 10 available beds

• MHP EMERGENCY DEPT STATUS:
  • Number of ER patients in last 24 hours: 46
  • Number of ER patients with respiratory signs/symptoms: 15 (representing 33%)

• RESOURCES: 
  • https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/dc74772707d94db9a7d24d30ffdcf36c     
  • https://www.mymhp.org/services/virtual-visits/  or 392-DOCS (answered 24/7)
  • https://coronavirus.in.gov/.      
  • https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html
  • Indiana State Dept of Health Call Center for Healthcare workers and the general public (staffed 8AM-8PM) (317) 233-7125.  Please call (317) 233-1325 after hours. 
  • For the Shelby County Health Department, please call (317) 392-6470.

The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) has recently announced several tax filing and payment deadline extensions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, filing and payment requirements and dates for taxes collected by businesses remain unchanged.

All recently announced extensions for state individual and corporate tax filing and payment deadlines are listed on DOR’s Coronavirus web page at dor.in.gov/7078.htm.

Business taxes, including sales, withholding income, food and beverage, county innkeeper’s and heavy equipment rental excise tax remain due on the standard due dates as listed on DOR’s website at dor.in.gov/3344.htm. Interest and penalties will apply if filing and payment deadlines are missed and will not be automatically waived.

Filing on time is critical. After completing the required filing, if a business owner is unable to make a scheduled payment, payment plans are available.

“The DOR team is here to help all Hoosiers continue to comply with their tax filing and payment requirements,” explained DOR Commissioner Bob Grennes. “Ignoring those requirements results in additional penalties and interest that can be avoided by filing on time and reaching out to our team for assistance.”

DOR's Customer Service Team is available to help answer questions and setup payment arrangements Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., EST.

• Customers with questions regarding sales, county innkeeper’s or food and beverage taxes should call 317-233-4015.
• Customers with questions regarding withholding income tax should call 317-233-4016.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $96,523,889 in airport aid to 65 airports in Indiana to help respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency. This historic grant funding is part of the Trump Administration’s newly created Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Airport Grant Program, an effort to provide unprecedented and immediate relief to American families, workers, and businesses. 

“This $10 billion in emergency resources will help fund the continued operations of our nation’s airports during this crisis and save workers’ jobs,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

This funding will support continuing operations and replace lost revenue resulting from the sharp decline in passenger traffic and other airport business due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The funds are available for airport capital expenditures, airport operating expenses including payroll and utilities, and airport debt payments.

Among the Indiana recipients:

Shelbyville - Shelbyville Municipal - $30,000

Columbus - Columbus Municipal - $69,000

Greensburg - Greensburg Municipal - $30,000

“Thank you to the dedicated men and women from the FAA’s Office of Airports for creating an entirely new program in record time to assist airport sponsors in desperate need of these funds,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. 

View a list of Indiana airports receiving funding on an interactive map, along with funding for all U.S. airports on FAA’s website.

The FAA encourages airport sponsors to spend the grant funds immediately to help minimize any adverse impact from the current public health emergency. Airport sponsors should work with their local FAA Office of Airports field office on the application and grant-agreement process.

The CARES Act also provides funds to increase the Federal share to 100 percent for grants awarded under the fiscal year 2020 appropriations for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and Supplemental Discretionary grants. Under normal circumstances, AIP grant recipients contribute a matching percentage of the project costs. Providing this additional funding and eliminating the local share will allow critical safety and capacity projects to continue as planned regardless of airport sponsors’ current financial circumstances.

The FAA will use a streamlined application and grant-agreement process to make this funding immediately available for critical airport needs. The funds will be available as soon as the airport sponsor executes a grant agreement.

The CARES Act provides new funds distributed by various formulas for all airports that are part of the national airport system. This includes all commercial service airports, all reliever airports and some public-owned general aviation airports.

4-H fairs, activities and more will be impacted by an announcement made by Purdue University and Purdue Extension.

The Hancock County Fairgrounds posted the following information on its Facebook page:

Updated on the 2020 Hancock County 4-H Fair and decision by Purdue Extension. There are many meetings taking place with Extension and the Hancock County 4-H Ag Association for moving the fair to a different date. This will take some time. We will announce plans next week.

Please watch the Hancock County 4-H Facebook page and the Hancock County 4-H Ag Association pages for correct information. Our goal is to have a fair. And we are working on a July schedule.

There are lots of pieces to the puzzle that are being worked on to make this another great Hancock County 4-H fair.

Shelby County Extension Director Scott Gabbard with local response to the Purdue announcement:

Dear Shelby County Residents, Stakeholders, Families and Friends;

First off we would like to thank you for your continued patience and flexibility through these uncertain times. We truly appreciate all of you and please understand these decisions were made with everyone’s safety in mind. Many of you may have already received communication from the Purdue Extension State 4-H Office but we wanted to follow up and make sure everyone has received the updates.

Due to the continued spread of COVID-19 and the important need to slow this spread, this week Purdue University and Purdue Extension announced the decision to extend the existing ban on face-to-face events through June 30, 2020.

What does this mean for 4-H at the fair???

Please note the Shelby County Fair is still planning to happen in 2020. Our 4-H presence just will happen at a different time or maybe even in a non-traditional format. We are working on the possibility of alternate time frames and virtual platforms. We ask that you please give us until mid-May for further updates and to firm up plans.

Is the office open???

Under the direction of the Shelby County Commissioners, our office is open with limited access.  The office is staffed M-F 8AM-4PM.  We are still meeting with our organizations and partners too through Zoom, WebEx and via other digital means.

How do I pick up a guide or drop off an item???

We have a locked mailbox at the main entrance.  At our second entrance (between the Extension Office and Health Department) we have a dropbox.  Callthe office at 317-392-6460, people on staff will work with you as to the best method of transfer.

Again, the Shelby County Fair has not been cancelled.Only the Purdue Extension portion of the event has been postponed at this time.  We are still answering questions, coordinating the creation of PPE for MHP, assisting where we can with other county departments and doing limited field visits. We do ask for your patience as we work through options. It’s going to look a little different this year but we are all in this together to best serve you.We will continue to share updates as they become available.

Need a Telehealth Visit?:  https://www.mymhp.org/services/virtual-visits/ 

• TELEHEALTH/VIDEO VISIT UPDATES: 
  • 27 orthopaedic walk-in visits at Renovo
  • 111 home visits completed for patients through Family & Internal Medicine
  • 1,143 Total Telehealth visits
  • 675 MHP Family & Internal Medicine Telehealth visits
  • 9 Disease Management Telehealth Visits
  • 2 MHP Nephrology & Infectious Disease home visits, plus 77 telehealth visits
  • 11 MHP OBGYN Telehealth visits
  • 65 MHP Pediatrics Telehealth visits
  • 29 MHP Priority Care Telehealth visits (Washington St. clinic included)
  • 76 MHP Psychology Telehealth visits
  • 138 MHP Pulmonology Telehealth visits
  • 14 MHP Sports Medicine Telehealth visits
  • 18 OnsiteSolutions Telehealth visits
  • 31 MHP Wound Clinic Telehealth visits

• GENERAL UPDATES FOR THE PUBLIC:
  • When can COVID-19 patients be released to work? 
    • People with COVID-19 who have stayed home (home isolated) can stop home isolation under the following conditions:
      • If you will not have a test to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
        • You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers) AND
        • other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
        • at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared
      • If you will be tested to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
        • You no longer have a fever (without the use medicine that reduces fevers) AND
        • other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
        • you received two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart. 

• SUPPLY UPDATES:
  • Personal Protective Equipment:  Our low census is helping and allowing us to keep up with the daily burn rate.  We are still in need of face shields. 
  • We need your empty hand sanitizer bottles.  We are making our own hand sanitizer and need your empty containers in order to reuse.      
  • Do you have items that you would like to donate?  (hand sanitizer, masks, respirators, gloves, N95, bouffant caps, or gowns).  If so, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org)
  • Food Donations:  Several community supporters have called to offer to donate food for our staff and physicians.  Some are also doing it as a way to support those restaurants who are struggling to stay afloat while they are only open for carryout.  We are extremely grateful for all the community support and selfless gestures.  If you would like to find out more information, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org).   

• PATIENTS TREATED AT OUR RESPIRATORY CLINIC LOCATIONS:
  • Priority Care located at 30 W. Rampart Road: Treated 16 patients yesterday with respiratory signs/symptoms.  Priority Care is open 7AM-7PM Monday through Friday and 8AM-2PM on Saturdays and Sundays.  
  • Washington St. Clinic located at 157 W. Washington St:  Treated 4 patients yesterday with respiratory signs/symptoms.  Washington St. Clinic is open 8AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

• WANT TO CHECK IN WITH A LOVED ONE WHO IS AT MAJOR HOSPITAL?
  • Managing visitation:  Indiana hospitals are strictly enforcing visitation rules.  We are following the same policies.  However, Major Hospital understands you still need to see and hear your loved one.  That’s why we have initiated using FaceTime or Skype connectivity for patients and their family members.  We have dedicated iPads that our patients can use to communicate with the outside world using our dedicated Wi-Fi access.  The inpatient nursing staff is also offering family members a phone number to call in for daily updates and offering to make daily calls to the patient’s family if preferred. 

• MHP TESTING STATUS: Please understand we are only able to report numbers and results of MHP patients who had their testing ordered or performed through MHP.  The Shelby County Health Department receives the positive results for ALL Shelby County residents, regardless of the location where the testing was performed.  If the COVID-19 test was not ordered or performed by MHP, we are not notified of the test or the result.  Consequently, our reported testing data will differ from that information available through the Indiana State Department of Health, the CDC and the Shelby County Health Department. 

• Number of MHP patients tested: 395
• Number of pending results: 51
• Number of positive results: 52 (increase of 1 since yesterday)
  • Currently, we have 6 inpatients that have tested positive and 3 inpatients have pending results.        
• If you want updated statistics for Shelby County and/or the State of Indiana, please visit https://coronavirus.in.gov/.      
• If you want updated statistics for the United States, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html

• TESTING AVAILABILITY:  
  • Number of available swabs/media: 80, plus an additional 150 GuideMed testing kits available through Priority Care or the Washington Street Clinic.  We will continue to follow the ISDH/CDC testing protocols to determine which patients are eligible for testing.  The testing criteria was updated this week and is available on the ISDH website.   
  • The Lilly testing location has expanded its testing criteria to include essential public employees and those in the community considered vulnerable to the virus.  Please visit https://www.info.lillycovid19testing.com/ for more information.
  • Both the Washington St. Clinic and Priority Care are able to test patients for COVID-19.  However, both are continuing to follow the recommended ISDH testing criteria which has been expanded as of 4/8.  Healthcare employees and first responders should obtain testing through the Lilly drive-through testing location.  The hospital lab is not accepting orders for outpatient COVID testing at this time.         

• MHP INPATIENT STATUS:
  • Current number of inpatients:  12
  • Current number of patients with respiratory related diagnoses: 11 (3 patients on a critical care vent and 0 on BiPap and 0 on a trilogy device)
  • Number of available beds: 28

• MHP EMERGENCY DEPT STATUS:
  • Number of ER patients in last 24 hours: 37
  • Number of ER patients with respiratory signs/symptoms: 6 (representing 16%)
  • 15 patients are in the ACC unit with 7 available beds

• RESOURCES: 
  • https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/dc74772707d94db9a7d24d30ffdcf36c     
  • https://www.mymhp.org/services/virtual-visits/  or 392-DOCS (answered 24/7)
  • https://coronavirus.in.gov/.      
  • https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html
  • Indiana State Dept of Health Call Center for Healthcare workers and the general public (staffed 8AM-8PM) (317) 233-7125.  Please call (317) 233-1325 after hours. 
  • For the Shelby County Health Department, please call (317) 392-6470.

Is Indiana turning a corner in the COVID-19 pandemic?  Wednesday’s press conference with the governor and state health commissioner offered some hope in that direction.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box.

Governor Eric Holcomb said ‘opening’ Indiana could be a region-by-region endeavor.  He noted if information continues to trend weland Hoosiers keep helping that it could mean good news soon.

Dr. Box tried to clarify Tuesday’s order that authorized long-term care facilities to transfer, discharge, transport or relocate residents in order to reduce the risks of COVID-19 to this vulnerable population.

A copy of the order can be found at https://coronavirus.in.gov.

The INDOT contractor, HIS Constructors, Inc. for the bridge deck overlay projects on the Knightstown Rd and the Morris Avenue / Old Rushville Rd overpasses will be starting on the Knightstown Road job Thursday morning, April 16, and intend to be finished with it by May 8.

The last address accessible from the south is 599 N Knightstown Rd and last address accessible from the north is 665 N Knightstown Rd.  The detour is Morris Av to Old Rushville Rd to 200 N, then back west to the Knightstown Rd.

They have scheduled the Morris AV / Old Rushville Rd job to start on May 26 and be open again on June 15.           

An emergency bridge repair will keep a section of Boggstown Road closed for over a month.

Shelby County Commissioner Kevin Nigh says Bridge 189 was a surprise closure last week.

Work is underway on the bridge on Boggstown Road between 200 West and 350 West.

The project should take six to eight weeks.

Indiana residents who need help feeding their families during the COVID-19 pandemic will have greater access to assistance from food banks and pantries through a Disaster Household Distribution program approved by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).?

The disaster distribution program uses commodity foods from The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which is administered by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), and is effective from today through May 14, 2020. The goal is to increase access to food assistance to those in need. Priority will be given to Hoosiers who are suffering significant economic losses.

During the COVID-19 response, food banks and partner agencies have largely shifted to drive-through distributions. Through the DHD program, current TEFAP food banks will use the network of new and existing mobile pantries to distribute food packages to families in need. It is anticipated a total of 250 sites, including mobile pantries, will assist with food distribution throughout the state, primarily in rural areas. Marion County will use Indianapolis Public School buses, community centers and a drive-through location at Gleaners Food Bank to ensure that families have easy access to food resources.

Each household receiving food through this program can receive one prepackaged 25-pound box that includes a variety of foods, including, but not limited to, canned and packaged fruits, vegetables, soups, sauces, noodles, beans, nuts, juices and meats. If frozen and/or refrigerated storage is available at a site, those items also will be distributed.?

Individuals should contact their local food bank or pantry to determine whether they are participating in the DHD program. For additional information, please visit wic.in.gov or find a food pantry near you by using Indiana’s food assistance map.

The Kroger Co., America’s largest supermarket, and the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), America’s largest food and retail union, issued a joint statement calling on federal and state government to take swift action to designate associates at grocery stores as “extended first responders” or “emergency personnel.”

The statement follows both Kroger’s and the UFCW’s direct advocacy on this topic with elected officials over the last five weeks. Kroger Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen and UFCW International President Marc Perrone released the following statement: “Since the onset of this pandemic, Kroger family of companies associates, who are also members of the UFCW, have been working tirelessly to make sure that millions of American families have the fresh food and products they need. As all Americans are now witnessing - grocery workers play a critical role in our communities and they must be protected.

“Working together, Kroger and the UFCW have already taken significant steps to keep Kroger associates safe and reward them for their incredible sacrifices throughout this ongoing crisis. The truth is more must be done and it must be done now. “Given the significant daily risk these workers face, we are calling on all of our federal and state leaders to take immediate action. Specifically, we are requesting our nation’s leaders to assign a temporary designation of first responder or emergency personnel status for all grocery workers. Make no mistake, this designation is absolutely critical as it will ensure these frontline workers have priority access to personal protection equipment like masks and gloves.

“This urgent call for temporary first responder or emergency personnel status is not just about protecting grocery store workers; it is also about protecting the customers they serve and our nation's food supply in general.

“We urge our national and statewide elected leaders to act now and protect these essential workers.”

A man wanted in New York City was arrested in Hancock County.

Habib Muhammad was driving along I-70 Tuesday when he was pulled over by police. When officers checked his plates, they found out that not only was the vehicle registered in New York, but that Habib was wanted for murder in New York City. Police arrested Muhammad and a woman who was also in the car.

In the car, police found several pounds of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and other drugs.

Muhammad and the woman were taken to Hancock County Jail. Muhammad is now facing charges for murder, resisting law enforcement, and several drug charges.

Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box Tuesday authorized long-term care facilities to transfer, discharge, transport or relocate residents in order to reduce the risks of COVID-19 to this vulnerable population.

All moves would be done in collaboration with the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH).

The goal of the order is to help facilities group residents who have tested negative to protect them from infection and better serve residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 by allowing facilities to establish COVID-dedicated units. Box said such units can allow facilities to better care for these residents and protect healthcare workers while helping to conserve personal protective equipment, such as masks and gowns.

A copy of the order can be found at https://coronavirus.in.gov.

Need a Telehealth Visit?:  https://www.mymhp.org/services/virtual-visits/ 

• TELEHEALTH/VIDEO VISIT UPDATES: 
  • 23 orthopaedic walk-in visits at Renovo
  • 99 home visits completed for patients
  • 1041 Total Telehealth visits
  • 626 MHP Family & Internal Medicine Telehealth visits
  • 2 MHP Nephrology & Infectious Disease home visits, plus 74 telehealth visits
  • 9 MHP OBGYN Telehealth visits
  • 62 MHP Pediatrics Telehealth visits
  • 29 MHP Priority Care Telehealth visits (Washington St. clinic included)
  • 69 MHP Psychology Telehealth visits
  • 109 MHP Pulmonology Telehealth visits
  • 14 MHP Sports Medicine Telehealth visits
  • 10 OnsiteSolutions Telehealth visits
  • 31 MHP Wound Clinic Telehealth visits

• GENERAL UPDATES FOR THE PUBLIC:
  • When can COVID-19 patients be released to work? 
    • People with COVID-19 who have stayed home (home isolated) can stop home isolation under the following conditions:
      • If you will not have a test to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
        • You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers) AND
        • other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
        • at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared
      • If you will be tested to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
        • You no longer have a fever (without the use medicine that reduces fevers) AND
        • other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
        • you received two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart. 

• SUPPLY UPDATES:
  • Supplies & PPE:  Steady and stable.  We received an additional 600 isolation gowns.  We now have 1,400 in circulation.  Gowns are no longer an ongoing concern. 
  • Pharmacy:  We received our Zinc shipment today.  All other medications are steady and stable. 
  • We need your empty hand sanitizer bottles.  We are making our own hand sanitizer and need your empty containers in order to reuse.      
  • Do you have items that you would like to donate?  (hand sanitizer, masks, respirators, gloves, N95, bouffant caps, or gowns).  If so, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org)
  • Food Donations:  Several community supporters have called to offer to donate food for our staff and physicians.  Some are also doing it as a way to support those restaurants who are struggling to stay afloat while they are only open for carryout.  We are extremely grateful for all the community support and selfless gestures.  If you would like to find out more information, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org).   

• PATIENTS TREATED AT OUR RESPIRATORY CLINIC LOCATIONS:
  • Priority Care located at 30 W. Rampart Road: Treated 16 patients yesterday with respiratory signs/symptoms and has treated 11 so far today.  Priority Care is open 7AM-7PM Monday through Friday and 8AM-2PM on Saturdays and Sundays.  
  • Washington St. Clinic located at 157 W. Washington St:  Treated 11 patients yesterday with respiratory signs/symptoms and has treated 4 so far today.  Washington St. Clinic is open 8AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

Health department announces 37 new COVID-19 deaths, Decatur Co. 24 new cases

Posted About Four Years Ago

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today announced that 313 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 8,527 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total.

 

A total of 387 Hoosiers have died to date. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days.

 

To date, 46,017 tests have been reported to ISDH, up from 44,539 on Monday.

 

Marion County had the most new cases, at 50. Other counties with more than 10 new cases were Allen (11), Boone (21), Clark (14), Decatur (24), Elkhart (14), Hendricks (19), Lake (30) and St. Joseph (42). The Lake County totals include results from East Chicago and Gary, which have their own health departments.

 

The complete list of counties with cases is included in the ISDH COVID-19 dashboard at coronavirus.in.gov. Cases are listed by county of residence. Private lab reporting may be delayed and will be reflected in the map and count when results are received at ISDH. The dashboard will be updated at noon each day.

 

The dashboard also has been updated to make corrections based on updated information provided to ISDH.

Social distancing restrictions because of the coronavirus and the stay at home order from Gov. Eric Holcomb have force casinos to close and sportsbooks to stop taking bets.

Online sports betting has all but stalled out as well in Indiana with so many sports postponing and canceling games. In the month of March, the state lost out on around $125 million in gambling tax dollars.

The impact of closed casinos will be felt in Shelbyville and Shelby County with Indiana Grand Racing & Casino.  The true measure may be further down the road.

Shelbyville Mayor Tom DeBaun.

The mayor says they’ve already had discussions looking ahead to future budgets.

Will the city’s daily activities look exactly the same in the wake of COVID-19?

The governor will tweak some of the requirements to Indiana's stay at home order at the end of the week, with a likely extension next Monday.

David Fisher and Kim Koehl talk about the current challenges before the Shelby County United Fund and ShelbySenior Services while combating COVID-19.

NEW SERVICE:  https://www.mymhp.org/services/virtual-visits/ 

• TELEHEALTH/VIDEO VISIT UPDATES: 
  • 859 Total Telehealth visits
  • 530 MHP Family & Internal Medicine Telehealth visits
  • 68 MHP Nephrology & Infectious Disease Telehealth visits
  • 5 MHP OBGYN Telehealth visits
  • 45 MHP Pediatrics Telehealth visits
  • 29 MHP Priority Care Telehealth visits (Washington St. clinic included)
  • 58 MHP Psychology Telehealth visits
  • 86 MHP Pulmonology Telehealth visits
  • 9 MHP Sports Medicine Telehealth visits
  • 9 OnsiteSolutions Telehealth visits
  • 20 MHP Wound Clinic Telehealth visits

• GENERAL UPDATES FOR THE PUBLIC:
  • Face shields:  All direct caregivers are encouraged to wear face shields and not just goggles for added precaution.  We are providing face shields for all staff who need one. 
  • Proper gowning and gloving:  The proper use of PPE is our best defense to protect our staff and patients.  On Monday, two surgical staff members will offer an in-service to ensure all staff are donning and doffing appropriately.  This will help prevent the spread and help decrease cross-contamination.  Some of our staff have been deployed to areas where they may not feel as comfortable and may be performing tasks that require new skill sets. PPE is the most important part our job and ensuring we are all doing it correctly will ease fears and increase protection. 
  • Nursing homes:  We are testing a few nursing home patients for COVID.  It will take a few days to receive the results. 
  • Suburban Hospitals:  We are working with the other Suburban hospitals to share scarce resources and potentially accept patient transfers or even share staff if it becomes necessary. 

• When can COVID-19 patients be released to work? 
  • People with COVID-19 who have stayed home (home isolated) can stop home isolation under the following conditions:
    • If you will not have a test to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
      • You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers) AND
      • other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
      • at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared
    • If you will be tested to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
      • You no longer have a fever (without the use medicine that reduces fevers) AND
      • other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
      • you received two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart. 

• SUPPLY UPDATES:
  • PPE: With our low census, PPE supply is stable at this time.   
  • Other supplies:  Paper product such as paper towels are now on allocation.  We received approximately 40% of what we ordered.   
  • Re-processing N95 masks:  We are doing this in our Hydrogen Peroxide Gas Plasma sterilizer. This process has been validated and the biologicals have come back negative and the swabs from the test have come back “no growth”. 
  • We need your empty hand sanitizer bottles.  We are making our own hand sanitizer and need your empty containers in order to reuse.      
  • Do you have items that you would like to donate?  (hand sanitizer, masks, respirators, gloves, N95, bouffant caps, or gowns).  If so, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org)
  • Food Donations:  Several community supporters have called to offer to donate food for our staff and physicians.  Some are also doing it as a way to support those restaurants who are struggling to stay afloat while they are only open for carryout.  We are extremely grateful for all the community support and selfless gestures.  If you would like to find out more information, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org).   

• PATIENTS TREATED AT OUR RESPIRATORY CLINIC LOCATIONS:
  • Priority Care located at 30 W. Rampart Road: Treated 13 patients yesterday with respiratory signs/symptoms.  Priority Care is open 7AM-7PM Monday through Friday and 8AM-2PM on Saturdays and Sundays.  
  • Washington St. Clinic located at 157 W. Washington St:  Washington St Clinic treated 11 patients yesterday with respiratory signs/symptoms.   Washington St. Clinic is open 8AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

COVID cases continue to rise; new test sites for healthcare, first responders

Posted About Four Years Ago

More people in Indiana are testing positive for COVID-19, the Indiana State Department of Health said Saturday.

 

A total of 7,435 Hoosiers have now tested positive for the virus, according to ISDH. 39,000 Hoosiers have been tested overall.

 

ISDH said 330 Hoosiers have died from the virus. A majority of the deaths were people over the age of 60.

 

As numbers continue to rise ISDH has partnered with local health officials for free drive-thru testing clinics for healthcare workers, first responders and essential workers who have symptoms of COVID-19

 

Clinics will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 13-17 at the following locations:

 

CK Newsome Community Center, 100 E. Walnut St., Evansville

Ivy Tech, 3800 N. Anthony Blvd., Fort Wayne

St. Timothy Community Church, 1600 W. 25th Ave., Gary

Ivy Tech, 8204 Hwy 311, Sellersburg

 

You'll need your driver's license or a State of Indiana-issued I.D. card, and documentation of place of employment.

 

Tests will be limited to one person per car.

 

More information about coronavirus is available at coronavirus.in.gov.

If you want to donate to support Officer Breann Leath's family, IMPD has a warning for you.

In a press release on Friday, IMPD reminds the community to be mindful of where they donate money in Officer Leath's family. IMPD warns, people have created support funds for Officer Leath without permission from Officer Leath's family.

Any opportunities for residents to donate to Officer Leath will be officially announced by the IMPD. An announcement on a fund in her honor is coming, though an official date has not been announced.

Indianapolis Metro Police say 27-year-old Elliahs Dorsey faces preliminary charges of murder and attempted murder for the death of Officer Breann Leath.

IMPD says Leath and two other officers were responding to a domestic violence call at an apartment complex on the city's east side Thursday afternoon. When they knocked on the door, Dorsey fired shots through the door, hitting Leath. She was rushed to a hospital, where she died.

Officer Leath was just 24 years old, and a member of IMPD for two years.

Protect your vegetation and prepare for colder temperatures. That’s the message from the National Weather Service in Indianapolis.

A frost warning goes into effect from 2 am to 9 am Saturday.

“The winds are going to be much weaker. Winds are only going to be 3-7 mph, which allows for that dew to freeze into that frost you see in the morning, which causes issues with the vegetation. If things have been planted up to this point, they are generally very sensitive to the cold weather, especially those first few weeks,” says National Weather Service in Indianapolis Meteorologist Andrew White.

White says it is not just this weekend that cold temperatures will stick around.

“If people have gone and put out some of their spring gardens or some of their spring flowers, in addition to the planting that any farmers would have done, those will be susceptible to the cold tomorrow and then into next week. If you can get some of it inside, that would be great, especially because we’re considering this cold weather really to continue through the middle of the month,” White says.

If you can’t bring it in, then White recommends you cover it up or doing anything you can to limit the exposure the plants get during the overnight hours.

After 9 am Saturday, temperatures will warm up to a high near 60 in some places across Indiana. Then on Sunday, there is a chance for thunderstorms.

“Here locally in Indiana, there are some chances for some thunderstorms during the day Sunday. At this point, it is still a little too early to think we’re going to see anything other than thunderstorms,” says White.

NEW SERVICE:  www.mymhp.org/virtual

-          TELEHEALTH/VIDEO VISIT UPDATES: 

• 810 Telehealth visits since 3/19
• 496 MHP Family & Internal Medicine Telehealth visits since 3/19
• 96 MHP Pulmonology Telehealth visits since 3/19
• 62 MHP Nephrology & Infectious Disease Telehealth visits since 3/19
• 59 MHP Psychology Telehealth visits since 3/19
• 41 MHP Pediatrics Telehealth visits since 3/19

-          GENERAL UPDATES FOR THE PUBLIC:

• Nursing Homes:  ISDH has moved the nursing homes to 3^rd on the list in terms of prioritizing supply allocation behind hospitals and First Responders.  Some local nursing homes are reporting they are running critically low in terms of gloves.  MHP has provided sufficient gloves to the affected homes at this time.  Shelby County EMA is helping secure additional necessary supplies for the affected nursing homes and that should be available next week. 
• MHP Psychology FREE visit for MHP employees:   MHP Psychology is now offering a free 30-minute telehealth opportunity to MHP employees who are feeling overwhelmed and need a listening ear.
• IGH providing telehealth:  Indianapolis Gastroenterology and Hepatology is providing telehealth.  If you would like to schedule a telemedicine appointment or have questions regarding this service, please call 317.865.2955.

o   When can COVID-19 patients be released to work? 

§  People with COVID-19 who have stayed home (home isolated) can stop home isolation under the following conditions:

·         If you will not have a test to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:

o   You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers) AND

o   other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND

o   at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared

·         If you will be tested to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:

o   You no longer have a fever (without the use medicine that reduces fevers) AND

o   other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND

o   you received two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart. 

-          SUPPLY UPDATES:

• Pharmacy:  Precedex and Propofol are both in stable supply.  Pharmacy is also prepared to staff the hospital 24/7 to support the inpatient and the Emergency Department if it becomes necessary.
• We need your empty hand sanitizer bottles.  We are making our own hand sanitizer and need your empty containers in order to reuse.      

o   Do you have items that you would like to donate?  (hand sanitizer, masks, respirators, gloves, N95, bouffant caps, or gowns).  If so, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org)

o   Food Donations:  Several community supporters have called to offer to donate food for our staff and physicians.  Some are also doing it as a way to support those restaurants who are struggling to stay afloat while they are only open for carryout.  We are extremely grateful for all the community support and selfless gestures.  If you would like to find out more information, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org).   

-          PATIENTS TREATED AT OUR RESPIRATORY CLINIC LOCATIONS:

o   Priority Care located at 30 W. Rampart Road: Treated 11 patients yesterday and 12 patients so far today.  Priority Care is open 7AM-7PM Monday through Friday and 8AM-2PM on Saturdays and Sundays.  

o   Washington St. Clinic located at 157 W. Washington St:  Washington St Clinic treated 13 patients yesterday with respiratory signs/symptoms and 9 patients so far today.   Washington St. Clinic is open 8AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

POET announced it will idle production at its bioprocessing facilities in Chancellor, S.D., Ashton, Iowa, and Coon Rapids, Iowa, and delay the start-up of its new plant in Shelbyville, as producers across the United States continue to grapple with the economic fallout of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

On an annualized basis, these operational changes are expected to reduce corn demand by 110 million bushels, freezing 330 million gallons of ethanol production across the four facilities. POET has also significantly slowed production at other facilities, further decreasing corn demand.

“Across the board, biofuel producers and our partners in the farm community face an unprecedented challenge,” said POET Founder and CEO Jeff Broin. “From day one of this crisis, we have placed the highest priority on protecting the health and welfare of our workers, partners and farm suppliers. At the same time, we are working hard to ensure that every biorefinery remains well-positioned to support a strong and swift recovery once daily life returns to normal. That means responding dynamically to shifting conditions and optimizing production, market by market, as the situation evolves over the next few months.

“Unfortunately, plummeting fuel demand amid the coronavirus pandemic has overwhelmed markets already suffering from continued trade barriers, a foreign price war over oil and regulatory uncertainty here at home. In South Dakota, the crisis has been compounded by one of the worst growing seasons in memory. As a result, POET is taking the difficult step of idling production at our biorefineries in Chancellor, Ashton and Coon Rapids and delaying the start-up of Shelbyville.”

Ethanol producers across the country are slashing production amid the ongoing crisis. Nationally, experts predict a decline in fuel demand of up to 55 percent. If these conditions persist, it will result in an annualized drop in ethanol demand of up to eight billion gallons or 2.7 billion bushels of corn.

“As always, we will continue monitoring the situation closely and working with team members at each plant to stay ahead of market changes as the situation continues to evolve day by day,” said POET President and Chief Operating Officer Jeff Lautt. “We remain optimistic that elected leaders will move ahead swiftly on efforts to shore up the rural economy and deliver relief for struggling families. We are fully committed to protecting the strong, stable biofuel markets that America’s farmers need now more than ever, and we look forward to rebuilding and growing America's agricultural markets.”

COVID-19 has forced the closure or reduction of a large percentage of small businesses in Shelby County, especially those that serve the public: restaurants, retail, and non-essential personal services like salons. In addition to being an important sector of our economy and collectively a major employer, these businesses are amenities that make Shelby County an attractive place to live.

The CARES Act, which includes the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and a variety of other tax credits provide immediate relief in the form of low interest loans, some of which are forgivable. These programs are available to non-profit organizations as well. The application process varies between the programs, and the quick rollout has resulted in a lack of understanding and confusion. Shelby County Development Corporation (SCDC) has partnered with the Blue River Community Foundation, Mainstreet Shelbyville, and the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce to arrange for professional assistance with the EIDL loan/grant that will infuse businesses with relief funds of $10,000 within a short time frame. Locally owned, independent, brick and mortar Shelby county businesses with fewer than 35 employees and Shelby County non-profit organizations are eligible for the assistance.

Through grant funds provided by the Blue River Community Foundation, the local advisors listed below will assist small businesses and non-profit organizations with completion of the EIDL. This assistance is provided at no cost. In the near future, the program may expand to offer assistance with the PPP or other relief opportunities, but this phase of assistance is specifically to help with the EIDL funds. Small businesses and organizations not currently working with an attorney or accountant should contact their choice of the advisors participating in the program, listed below.

Brown, DePrez & Johnson, P.A.

Peter G. DePrez

H.Curtis Johnson

Andrew M. Eads

Tyler E. Brant

Telephone: 317.398.6688

email: covid19@shelbylaw.com

McNeely Law LLP

Jacob S. Brattain

317.825.5183

jbrattain@mcneelylaw.com

Stephenson Rife LLP

Jeremy Musgrave, Attorney

Eric Glasco, Attorney

Office: 317-680-2011

jeremymusgrave@srtrial.com

EricGlasco@SRTrial.com

The Indiana Department of Transportation announced today the launch of a temporary program to permit licensed food trucks to operate at rest area locations on Indiana interstate highways to provide food and beverage options for commercial truck drivers and motorists engaged in essential travel during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The program will provide needed options for truck drivers, many of whom are reporting limited availability of food and beverages options near highways across the country due to restaurants and other businesses following public health guidelines in place to slow the spread of COVID-19, including closing dining rooms and in some cases reducing hours of service.

Shelbyville High School senior Jo-el Gilbert should be worried about normal things - going to class, Golden Bear softball, prom and graduation.

COVID-19 has taken away the normal from the end of the school year.

Gilbert hoped that maybe her softball team might get some time on the field with a return to school.  But now that's been erased.

Gilbert still holds out some hope for new dates for prom and graduation.

Even home life gets impacted by the pandemic.  Gilbert recently celebrated an 18th birthday but wasn't able to get everyone together for a party.

Weather is in the news with dropping temperatures and potential severe weather in the forecast.

Severe storms are possible this evening and overnight ahead of a cold front. Damaging winds, large hail, isolated tornadoes are all possible. Locally heavy rain and frequent lightning are possible with any storm.

The primary window for severe weather is 7:00 PM to 1:00 AM EDT.

During the day today look for partly cloudy skies and warm temperatures. Much colder air moves in for Thursday.

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today announced that 439 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 5,943 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total.

A total of 203 Hoosiers have died to date. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days.

To date, 30,869 tests have been reported to ISDH, up from 28,764 on Monday.

Marion County had the most new cases, at 151. Other counties with more than 10 new cases were Bartholomew (11), Hamilton (29), Hancock (12), Hendricks (17), Johnson (19), Lake (43) and St. Joseph (13).  The Lake County totals include results from East Chicago and Gary, which have their own health departments.

The complete list of counties with cases is included in the ISDH COVID-19 dashboard at coronavirus.in.gov which will be updated daily at 10 a.m. Cases are listed by county of residence. Private lab reporting may be delayed and will be reflected in the map and count when results are received at ISDH.

The dashboard also has been updated to make corrections based on updated information provided to ISDH.

NEW SERVICE: Virtual visits: www.mymhp.org/virtual

• TELEHEALTH/VIDEO VISIT UPDATES: 
  • 591 Telehealth visits completed since 3/19
  • 375 MHP Family & Internal Medicine Telehealth visits completed since 3/19
  • 39 MHP Pediatric Telehealth visits completed since 3/19
  • 44 Psychology Telehealth visits completed since 3/19
  • Dr. Jacob has performed 95 Telehealth visits since 3/19
  • MHP Family & Internal Medicine has now performed over 40 home visits for patients unable to travel

• GENERAL UPDATES FOR THE PUBLIC:
  • Daily Temperature Logs at SNFs:  Shelby County Health Dept has required all local nursing homes to submit daily temperature logs of all residents and staff.  The County Health Dept Medical Director is reviewing these on a daily basis for any concerns or necessary follow-up.  MHP’s Nurse Practitioner is continuing to round daily at the facilities.   
  • Home follow-up visits.  MHP Family & Internal Medicine is performing home follow-up visits for patients with positive/pending results for COVID who been discharged from inpatient or the Emergency Department.  We have also performed home visits for patients that are attempting to remain in the home and avoid the Emergency Department.   
  • Hotel stays for Affected MHP Employees:  MHP cares about our employees and their families.  We have secured hotel accommodations at two local hotels for MHP staff who are affected by COVID-19.  For staff that need a hotel room, the hospital will pay for their entire stay.  Some examples would include: 
    • A staff member becomes infected with COVID-19 and needs to be quarantined away from their home; or
    • The staff member’s work schedule significantly changes and they need a quiet place to rest; or
    • For staff members working long hours who need a quiet place to rest/sleep.     

• When can COVID-19 patients be released to work? 
  • People with COVID-19 who have stayed home (home isolated) can stop home isolation under the following conditions:
    • If you will not have a test to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
      • You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers) AND
      • other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
      • at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared
    • If you will be tested to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
      • You no longer have a fever (without the use medicine that reduces fevers) AND
      • other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
      • you received two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart. 

• SUPPLY UPDATES:
  • General Supplies and PPE:  We are beginning to see significant decreases in our shipment of supplies on allocation.  In some cases, we aren’t receiving anything.  Our main concerns are replenishment of disposable gowns and different sizes of non-latex gloves.   
  • N95 sterilization process:  We are working on a process to sterilize our N95 masks in-house.  Central Sterile and Pharmacy are working together to perfect the process.  We can sterilize up to 100 per day.   
  • Pharmacy:  We are evaluating using Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin on a limited basis in the outpatient setting for high-risk patients.  This would be limited to the ER, Priority Care and Washington Street locations.  We don’t have excess stock, but we are considering this in order to attempt to decrease the number of patients that need inpatient care or vent support. 
  • We need your empty hand sanitizer bottles.  We are making our own hand sanitizer and need your empty containers in order to reuse.      
  • Do you have items that you would like to donate?  (hand sanitizer, masks, respirators, gloves, N95, bouffant caps, or gowns).  If so, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org)
  • Food Donations:  Several community supporters have called to offer to donate food for our staff and physicians.  Some are also doing it as a way to support those restaurants who are struggling to stay afloat while they are only open for carryout.  We are extremely grateful for all the community support and selfless gestures.  If you would like to find out more information, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org).   

• PATIENTS TREATED AT OUR RESPIRATORY CLINIC LOCATIONS:
  • Priority Care located at 30 W. Rampart Road: Treated 23 patients yesterday and 14 patients so far today.  Priority Care is open 7AM-7PM Monday through Friday and 8AM-2PM on Saturdays and Sundays.  
  • Washington St. Clinic located at 157 W. Washington St:  Washington St Clinic treated 11 patients yesterday with respiratory signs/symptoms and 9 patients so far today.   Washington St. Clinic is open 8AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

Indiana DOR waiving use tax on donated COVID-19 supplies

Posted About Four Years Ago

The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) is taking steps to encourage the donation of medical supplies and other goods to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

On March 6, 2020, Governor Eric Holcomb issued Executive Order 20-02, declaring a public health disaster emergency in Indiana due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Later, on March 19, 2020, Gov. Holcomb issued Executive Order 20-05 to provide the following tax incentives for COVID-19 donations:

 

1. Manufacturers making donations of medicine, medical supplies or other eligible items to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in Indiana will not incur a use tax obligation for those donations; and
2. Groups or organizations making donations of medicine, medical supplies or other goods will not incur a use tax obligation for those donations if sales tax was not paid when receiving the item.

“Gov. Holcomb is inspiring us all to do everything we can to help Hoosiers during this medical emergency,” said DOR Commissioner Bob Grennes. “Waiving use tax for COVID-19 supplies will empower more companies and organizations to help Hoosiers battle the spread of COVID-19.”

 

Use tax typically applies to retail transactions when items are not subject to sales tax at the time of purchase. Eligible items for the COVID-19 use tax waiver include, but are not limited to:

• Medicine
• Medical supplies (such as personal protective equipment, ventilators and dialysis machines)
• Food donated to food banks or other charities helping feed those in need because of the COVID-19 crisis.
• Clothing, bedding or personal care products donated to homeless shelters or other charities helping those displaced or in jeopardy because of the COVID-19 crisis.
• Soaps, sanitizers, disinfectants, detergents and other cleaning supplies to medical facilities and the charities mentioned above.
• Building supplies, beds and other materials used to construct and furnish field hospitals or other temporary medical facilities.

Companies and organizations must get approval from DOR to use the COVID-19 waiver by emailing COVID19donations@dor.in.gov and providing the following information:

1. Name of the donor.
2. The donor’s Tax ID or Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN).
3. Identify if the donor is the manufacturer or purchaser of the donated items.
4. A list of all items donated, including the cost or purchase price of the items.
5. The organization(s) receiving the listed items.
6. A confirmation by the receiving organization(s) that the items have been or will be donated. Email confirmations are accepted.

After reviewing the information, DOR will confirm if the donation has been approved for the waiver. If approved, the donor will not be required to report the use tax on their next sales and use tax return, their income tax return or a consumer use tax return.

 

Eligible donations made prior to March 19, 2020, will be considered; however, donation of such items will not entitle the donor to a refund of any sales or use tax previously paid to DOR or to a vendor.

 

Any changes to this guidance, additional modifications to normal operations or changes to tax filing and payment deadlines will be posted on DOR’s website, as well as DOR’s social media accounts.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today issued a new two-week Stay At Home order designed to limit interactions among Hoosiers to increase containment of COVID-19. As of today, 4,944 people have tested positive and 139 people have died from the disease. There are now positive tests in 89 of 92 counties. Click here to see the executive order: https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm

As a part of this action, Gov. Holcomb also extended for two weeks the orders that limit in-person public activity at state government offices and put restrictions on the operation of restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

“Hoosiers have done a great job adapting to the new rules put in place during this public health emergency, but I believe the next two weeks to month could be the most critical for all of us,” said Gov. Holcomb. “So I am asking you to take even more precautions: only make in-person purchases when absolutely needed and use other delivery and pickup options when available. Limit who is traveling with you and entering stores.”

While the Stay At Home order chiefly continues as is, modifications and restrictions have been made to limit interactions among people. Here are some highlights of EO 20-18:

• Retail businesses that provide necessities of life may remain open but should limit the number of customers in the establishment at any given time; implement hours for elderly and other vulnerable populations, as well as limit hours of operation to restock and clean; and comply with all mitigation measures to protect employees and the public. A list of such businesses is included in the executive order.
• All other retail business may remain open if they restrict sales to online or call-in ordering with delivery or curbside pickup.
• Professional services should be conducted virtually or by telephone.
• All campgrounds will be closed except for those who use recreational vehicles or cabins as their primary residence. State parks remain open to daily visitors.
• Hoosiers are reminded that all public and private gatherings of any kind that include more than 10 people are prohibited.
• All employers, regardless of type, must continue to comply with the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA) standards and safety and health standards established and enforced by IOSHA. IOSHA is actively accepting and investigating complaints of violations. The complaint process may be accessed at https://www.in.gov/dol/
• In addition to IOSHA investigations, Gov. Holcomb has directed the creation of a multi-agency enforcement response team, led by the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission to respond to and investigate other violations of the new order. Much like the enforcement of the restaurant, bar and nightclub executive order, this team will be charged with helping business owners comply with the order before issuing a directive to close a business.

To allow retail, campgrounds and other establishments to make adjustments, enforcement will not begin until 24 hours after the order takes effect. The effective date and time of the order is 11:59 p.m. April 6 (today).

The Critical Industries Hotline will be available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to respond to business and industry questions about whether a business is considered essential. The center may be reached by calling 877-820-0890 or by emailing covidresponse@iedc.in.gov

Answers to frequently asked questions and instructions to file for COVID-19-related unemployment are available at Unemployment.IN.gov.

NEW SERVICE:  www.mymhp.org/virtual

• TELEHEALTH/VIDEO VISIT UPDATES: 
  • 516 Telehealth visits since 3/19
  • 326 MHP Family & Internal Medicine Telehealth visits since 3/19
  • 24 Virtual COVID-19 Clinic Telehealth visits since 3/27 (Washington Street)
  • 6 MHP providers added to the Priority Care Video visit platform
  • MHP providers have now performed 40 home visits for patients that are homebound and in need of care

• GENERAL UPDATES FOR THE PUBLIC:
  • Hotel stays for Affected MHP Employees:  MHP cares about our employees and their families.  We have secured hotel accommodations at two local hotels for MHP staff who are affected by COVID-19.  For staff that need a hotel room, the hospital will pay for their entire stay.  Some examples would include: 
    • A staff member becomes infected with COVID-19 and needs to be quarantined away from their home; or
    • The staff member’s work schedule significantly changes and they need a quiet place to rest; or
    • For staff members working long hours who need a quiet place to rest/sleep.     
  • Nursing Home Additional Coverage and Precautions:  In addition to adding daily Nurse Practitioner coverage in our local nursing homes, we are in constant communication with the local SNFs, including all non-local SNFs who are affiliated with MHP.  We ensure all homes are in frequent communication with MHP, their local EMS, EMA and hospital.  We also ensure they are reporting any PPE shortages or other issues that need attention.  We have hired licensed staff who are responsible for coordinating and reporting in an effort to remain proactive and ready to provide support or resources.     

• When can COVID-19 patients be released to work? 
  • People with COVID-19 who have stayed home (home isolated) can stop home isolation under the following conditions:
    • If you will not have a test to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
      • You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers) AND
      • other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
      • at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared
    • If you will be tested to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
      • You no longer have a fever (without the use medicine that reduces fevers) AND
      • other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
      • you received two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart. 

• SUPPLY UPDATES:
  • Community donations:  Click on the link for an updated listing of all the donations received since our last update on 3/25 from the local community.  The generosity of the local community is truly remarkable.  https://mymhp.sharepoint.com/sites/mhp/ShelbyCountyDonations/Copy%20of%20Donations%20list%20as%20of%20950%20a.m.%20on%204-6-2020-PC-0257A.pdf?csf=1&e=mCnNZi&cid=0ca348e1-e361-432a-beec-b659d3dd257d
  • Gowns:  It takes 107 minutes for a full cycle (wash and dry) turnaround for our isolation gowns.  We are nearly able to keep pace with our gown usage rate in a 24-hour period.  We expect an additional delivery of gowns on Tuesday. 
  • Bouffant caps:  We have 800 currently, but we still need more based on projected volumes and our daily burn rate. 
  • Pharmacy:  We are still stable with our medications.  Additional quantities of Diprivan and Precedex have arrived.   
  • Supplies on allocation:  The items that are on allocation are no longer being replenished.  This includes gowns, some sizes of gloves, masks, and other PPE items.  This is a concern that we are monitoring on a daily basis. 
  • We need your empty hand sanitizer bottles.  We are making our own hand sanitizer and need your empty containers in order to reuse.      
  • Do you have items that you would like to donate?  (hand sanitizer, masks, respirators, gloves, N95, bouffant caps, or gowns).  If so, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org)
  • Food Donations:  Several community supporters have called to offer to donate food for our staff and physicians.  Some are also doing it as a way to support those restaurants who are struggling to stay afloat while they are only open for carryout.  We are extremely grateful for all the community support and selfless gestures.  If you would like to find out more information, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org).   

• PATIENTS TREATED AT OUR RESPIRATORY CLINIC LOCATIONS:
  • Priority Care located at 30 W. Rampart Road: Treated 9 patients yesterday and 15 patients so far today.  Priority Care is open 7AM-7PM Monday through Friday and 8AM-2PM on Saturdays and Sundays.  
  • Washington St. Clinic located at 157 W. Washington St:  The Washington Street Clinic was closed yesterday and has seen 10 patients today so far.  Washington St. Clinic is open 8AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

• CALL CENTER VOLUMES:
  • 392-DOCS line had 59 phone calls over the weekend.
  • Call Center volumes: 406 calls answered Friday (does not include 392-DOCS line).  Average queue hold 38 seconds with 96% of calls answered.  The Call Center is not open on the weekends. 

• WANT TO CHECK IN WITH A LOVED ONE WHO IS AT MAJOR HOSPITAL?
  • Managing visitation:  Indiana hospitals are strictly enforcing visitation rules.  We are following the same policies.  However, Major Hospital understands you still need to see and hear your loved one.  That’s why we have initiated using FaceTime or Skype connectivity for patients and their family members.  We have dedicated iPads that our patients can use to communicate with the outside world using our dedicated Wi-Fi access.  The inpatient nursing staff is also offering family members a phone number to call in for daily updates and offering to make daily calls to the patient’s family if preferred. 

• MHP TESTING STATUS: Please understand we are only able to report numbers and results of MHP patients who had their testing ordered or performed through MHP.  The Shelby County Health Department receives the positive results for ALL Shelby County residents, regardless of the location where the testing was performed.  If the COVID-19 test was not ordered or performed by MHP, we are not notified of the test or the result.  Consequently, our reported testing data will differ from that information available through the Indiana State Department of Health, the CDC and the Shelby County Health Department. 

• Number of MHP patients tested: 182
• Number of pending results: 28
• Number of positive results: 24 (increase of 9 since yesterday)
  • Currently, we have 8 inpatients that have tested positive and 11 inpatients have pending results. 
• If you want updated statistics for Shelby County and/or the State of Indiana, please visit https://coronavirus.in.gov/.      
• If you want updated statistics for the United States, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html

• TESTING STATUS:  
  • Number of available swabs/media: 156.  We will continue to follow the ISDH/CDC testing protocols to determine which patients are eligible for testing. 
  • The Lilly testing location has expanded its testing criteria to include essential public employees and those in the community considered vulnerable to the virus.  Please visit https://www.info.lillycovid19testing.com/ for more information.
  • Both the Washington St. Clinic and Priority Care are able to test patients for COVID-19.  However, both are continuing to follow the recommended ISDH testing criteria which has been expanded as of 4/1.  Healthcare employees and first responders should obtain testing through the Lilly drive-through testing location.  The hospital lab is not accepting orders for outpatient COVID testing at this time.         

• MHP INPATIENT STATUS:
  • Current number of inpatients:  29
  • Current number of patients with respiratory related diagnoses: 28 (3 patients are on a vent and 1 is on BiPap and 1 is on a trilogy device)

Number of available beds: 11

• MHP EMERGENCY DEPT STATUS:
  • Number of ER patients in last 24 hours: 36
  • Number of ER patients with respiratory signs/symptoms: 10 (representing 28%)
  • 5 patients are in the ACC unit with 17 available beds

• RESOURCES: 
  • https://www.mymhp.org/services/virtual-visits/  or 392-DOCS (answered 24/7)
  • https://coronavirus.in.gov/.      
  • https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html
  • Indiana State Dept of Health Call Center for Healthcare workers and the general public (staffed 8AM-8PM) (317) 233-7125.  Please call (317) 233-1325 after hours. 
  • For the Shelby County Health Department, please call (317) 392-6470.

Some workers unemployed because of coronavirus cutbacks have received their first unemployment checks, only to find they didn't get the extra $600 they'd been hearing about.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development--like similar agencies in other states--is waiting for guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor. The payments are authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. Put aside the controversy over giving laid off works more money than they would get for working--Congress passed the bill and the President signed it into law.

Once states figure out how to implement it, the payments will be made retroactive to March 29.

In this taxing and uncertain time, our associates have gone above and beyond to help Americans get the food, medicine and supplies they need.

We care deeply about our associates’ health and well-being, and in recent weeks we’ve taken steps such as expanding our paid leave policies; closing our stores overnight for cleanings and restocking; installing sneeze guards and social distance markers in stores; beginning temperature checks; and starting to make gloves and masks available to associates who want them.

While many of our customers have been following the advice of the medical community regarding social distancing and safety, we have been concerned to still see some behaviors in our stores that put undue risk on our people. We want to encourage customers to bring the fewest number of people per family necessary to shop, allow for space with other customers while shopping, and practice social distancing while waiting in lines. We’re also seeing states and municipalities set varying policies regarding crowd control – which has created some confusion regarding shopping.

To promote health, safety and consistency for our associates and customers in this environment, we’re taking some further steps for our U.S. stores:

Regulating Store Entry

Starting Saturday, we will limit the number of customers who can be in a store at once. Stores will now allow no more than five customers for each 1,000 square feet at a given time, roughly 20 percent of a store’s capacity.

To manage this restriction, the associates at a store will mark a queue at a single-entry door (in most cases the Grocery entrance) and direct arriving customers there, where they will be admitted one-by-one and counted. Associates and signage will remind customers of the importance of social distancing while they’re waiting to enter a store – especially before it opens in the morning.

Once a store reaches its capacity, customers will be admitted inside on a “1-out-1-in” basis.

Shopping Inside the Store

We’ll also institute one-way movement through our aisles next week in a number of our stores, using floor markers and direction from associates. We expect this to help more customers avoid coming into close contact with others as they shop.

We’ll continue to put signage inside our stores to remind customers of the need to maintain social distancing – especially in lines. And once customers check out, they will be directed to exit through a different door than they entered, which should help lessen the instances of people closely passing each other.

We always want people to feel welcome at Walmart, and we know that in ordinary times a store is a gathering place for members of a community to connect and socialize. We look forward to the time when that is again the case; however, we now want to prioritize health and safety by encouraging customers to do their shopping at a distance from others, then head home.

As the COVID-19 situation continues to develop, our leaders and operations teams will continue to listen to advice from medical experts, associates and customers, and consider how we can best serve people while helping slow the spread of the virus. The health and safety of our associates and customers is what matters the most.

Gov. Holcomb will extend the stay at home order on Monday.

The governor with executive orders and news from Washington during Friday's COVID-19 update.

MHP providers are now available on 2 virtual visit platforms! The MHP COVID Virtual Clinic (for patients with respiratory or COVID related symptoms ONLY) and MHP Virtual Visit (for all other non-COVID related conditions). These new platforms allows patients to seek medical advice from the comfort of their homes, potentially eliminating the need to visit physician offices, urgent cares, or emergency departments.  To learn more visit www.myMHP.org/virtual.

TELEHEALTH/VIDEO VISIT UPDATES: 

• 453 Telehealth visits since 3/19
• 284 Family and Internal Medicine Telehealth visits since 3/19
• 20 Virtual COVID Clinic Telehealth visits since 3/27

• GENERAL UPDATES FOR THE PUBLIC:
  • Main Entrance/Door #2 closing earlier:  Beginning Monday 4/6, Main Entrance/Door #2 will be closed at 5PM during the week.  This entrance opens at 6AM Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends.   
  • Community Appreciation Event:  Members of the community have organized a recognition event to show their support and appreciation for all MHP Providers and staff.  This is scheduled for Saturday 4/4 at 7PM in the MHP Medical Center parking lot.  Participants will remain in their vehicles and drive through the parking lot with blinking/flashing lights and honking horns.  They are also requesting participants to tune into Giant FM WSVX 96.5 during the event.  Marketing will cover the event on social media.  MHP appreciates all the support, donations and kind gestures from Shelbyville and Shelby County! 
  • MHP Orthopaedic Walk-in Care:  Beginning Monday, 4/6, we will begin providing orthopaedic walk-in visits at Renovo Orthopaedic Center at 275 W. Basset Road.  This service will be available Monday through Friday from 8AM-3PM.  The purpose of this new service is to help keep those with orthopaedic injuries from having to visit the Emergency Department or Priority Care.  This service is being offered as a collaboration between the providers at MHP Sports Medicine, MHP FORCE Orthopaedics, and MHP Foot & Ankle Surgery.  The walk-in site will treat ONLY urgent orthopaedic injuries and fractures.  Chronic pain, medication refills and other non-related orthopaedic illnesses will not be seen at this location.  Patients with signs or symptoms of respiratory illness will also not be able to be seen at this location.     

• When can COVID-19 patients be released to work? 
  • People with COVID-19 who have stayed home (home isolated) can stop home isolation under the following conditions:
    • If you will not have a test to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
      • You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers) AND
      • other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
      • at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared
    • If you will be tested to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
      • You no longer have a fever (without the use medicine that reduces fevers) AND
      • other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
      • you received two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart. 

• Hand sanitizer bottles:  Please remember to save your empty hand sanitizer bottles.  MedWorks needs those empty bottles in order to refill what they are making so we can keep all areas supplied with hand sanitizer. 

• SUPPLY UPDATES:
  • Supplies/PPE:  Stable/steady at this time. 
  • Laundering gowns:  Our new overnight process of laundering isolation gowns in-house went well.  It takes approximately 40-45 minutes for a complete turnaround cycle.  We can turn 60 gowns per cycle.    
  • Gowns:  We expect a delivery of additional gowns Sunday/Monday.
  • D Batteries:  We now have a sufficient supply of D batteries. Our sincere thanks to several members of the community who made donations.  We needed these for our supply of 10 emergency ventilators.  These are powered by D batteries and the batteries are required to be changed every 48 hours.   
  • We need your empty hand sanitizer bottles.  We are making our own hand sanitizer and need your empty containers in order to reuse.      
  • Do you have items that you would like to donate?  (hand sanitizer, masks, respirators, gloves, N95, bouffant caps, D-batteries, or gowns).  If so, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org)
  • Food Donations:  Several community supporters have called to offer to donate food for our staff and physicians.  Some are also doing it as a way to support those restaurants who are struggling to stay afloat while they are only open for carryout.  We are extremely grateful for all the community support and selfless gestures.  If you would like to find out more information, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org).   

• PATIENTS TREATED AT OUR RESPIRATORY CLINIC LOCATIONS:
  • Priority Care located at 30 W. Rampart Road: Treated 21 patients yesterday and 15 patients so far today.  Priority Care is open 7AM-7PM Monday through Friday and 8AM-2PM on Saturdays and Sundays.  
  • Washington St. Clinic located at 157 W. Washington St:  The Washington St. Clinic treated 21 patients yesterday and has seen 18 patients today so far.  Washington St. Clinic is open 8AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

First Shelby County COVID-19 death reported

Posted About Four Years Ago

Shelby County Department of Health announced today the death from thenovel coronavirus (COVID-19). The individual was an adult male from ShelbyCounty.

 

The adult fromShelby County died at Major Health Partners Hospital on April 02, 2020. The person, who was over age 60, had been hospitalized as a COVID-19 patient. No further information about the patient will be released due to privacy laws.

 

Dr. Loman, Shelby County Health Officer, is asking all individuals to follow our civic responsibility and maintain a minimum of six feet between others when out of our homes for grocery and medical needs. Please stay home unless you are required to work outside the home in an essential job. Wash your hands frequently and maintain good personal and household hygiene measures.

 

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a novel, or new, coronavirus that has not been previously identified. It is not the same as the type of coronavirus that causes the common cold.

COVID-19 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.

Many people who acquire COVID-19 that mayonly havemildsymptoms, should self-isolate and may not need to be tested. Older individuals and those with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for severe illness and should seek advice from their medical provider via telemedicine.

 

The best ways to protect yourself are to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, avoid close contact with people, stay home when you’re sick, cover your cough or sneeze and clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

 

If you work in an essential job, Shelby County Health Department recommends bathing/showering immediately when you return home. Keep work clothes separate from other soiled laundry and wear only one time if at all possible. Keep work shoes separated or cleanse prior to being worn in the home.

 

Shelby County Department of Health announced today the death from thenovel coronavirus (COVID-19). The individual was an adult male from ShelbyCounty.

The adult fromShelby County died at Major Health Partners Hospital on April 02, 2020. The person, who was over age 60, had been hospitalized as a COVID-19 patient. No further information about the patient will be released due to privacy laws.

Dr. Loman, Shelby County Health Officer, is asking all individuals to follow our civic responsibility and maintain a minimum of six feet between others when out of our homes for grocery and medical needs. Please stay home unless you are required to work outside the home in an essential job. Wash your hands frequently and maintain good personal and household hygiene measures.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a novel, or new, coronavirus that has not been previously identified. It is not the same as the type of coronavirus that causes the common cold.

COVID-19 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.

Many people who acquire COVID-19 that mayonly havemildsymptoms, should self-isolate and may not need to be tested. Older individuals and those with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for severe illness and should seek advice from their medical provider via telemedicine.

The best ways to protect yourself are to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, avoid close contact with people, stay home when you’re sick, cover your cough or sneeze and clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

If you work in an essential job, Shelby County Health Department recommends bathing/showering immediately when you return home. Keep work clothes separate from other soiled laundry and wear only one time if at all possible. Keep work shoes separated or cleanse prior to being worn in the home.

Val Phares never imagined himself in the grocery business.  But he probably never imagined closing his restaurants because of a coronavirus pandemic either.

The St. Paul Tavern has been a staple in that community for years.  For now, it has a new identity.  It's a grocery store.

Phares says they got the idea with the closure of the restaurant.

He details the efforts made for the conversion including changing supply orders.

He says they'll be open 7 days a week.  And if you need a local delivery, just ask.  Phares says they'll help when they can.

Contact the St. Paul Tavern - Grocery at 765-525-9502.

• TELEHEALTH/VIDEO VISIT UPDATES: 
  • 382 Telehealth visits since 3/19
  • 238 MHP Family and Internal Medicine Telehealth visits since 3/19
  • 15 Washington Street Clinic Telehealth visits since 3/27

• GENERAL UPDATES FOR THE PUBLIC:
  • When can COVID-19 patients be released to work? 
    • People with COVID-19 who have stayed home (home isolated) can stop home isolation under the following conditions:
      • If you will not have a test to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
        • You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (three full days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers) AND
        • other symptoms have improved (for example, your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
        • at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared
      • If you will be tested to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
        • You no longer have a fever (without the use of medicine that reduces fevers) AND
        • other symptoms have improved (for example, your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
        • you received two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart.  PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED HANDOUT.   

• MHP PDO Disaster Assistance Fund:  Major Hospital has created a PDO Disaster Assistance Fund for staff impacted by COVID-19.  This is funded with donations made by MHP employees for fellow MHP staff members.  If an MHP staff member becomes ill and is off work for COVID-19, he/she is eligible to receive donated paid time off from fellow staff members.  Also, if a staff member incurs a reduction in hours during this crisis, he/she is also eligible to participate. 
• Cessation of Pediatric Admissions:  MHP is no longer admitting pediatric patients.  Any pediatric patient requiring admittance will be sent to Riley or St. Vincent until the crisis is over.   

• SUPPLY UPDATES:
  • Isolation gowns:  Plymate Inc has stepped up and  agreed to launder all isolation gowns that we deliver to them in the morning and have them returned to us by afternoon.  If you know anyone at Plymate, please thank them as this is a tremendous help and a relief for our front-line caregivers.  We also purchased our own washers/dryers to help launder isolation gowns around the clock.  This will begin later today.  Our sincere thanks to the MHP staff that worked hard to get this up and running in just a few hours!   
  • IV tubing:  We have 6’ IV tubing and plan to locate the IV pumps outside the inpatient rooms in order to preserve PPE so staff can access the pumps in the hallway.   
  • Bouffant caps:  Our supply is low and our resupply is unknown.  Our plan is to attempt to locate reusable caps and begin laundering them along with our gowns.
  • We need empty hand sanitizer bottles.  We are making our own hand sanitizer and need your empty containers in order to reuse.    
  • Do you have items you would like to donate?  (hand sanitizer, masks, respirators, gloves, N95, bouffant caps, D-batteries, or gowns).  If so, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org)
  • Food Donations:  Several community supporters have called to offer to donate food for our staff and physicians.  Some are also doing it as a way to support those restaurants who are struggling to stay afloat while they are only open for carryout.  We are extremely grateful for all the community support and selfless gestures.  If you would like to find out more information, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org).   

• PATIENTS TREATED AT OUR RESPIRATORY CLINIC LOCATIONS:
  • Priority Care located at 30 W. Rampart Road: Treated 15 patients yesterday and 20 patients so far today.  Priority Care is open 7AM-7PM Monday through Friday and 8AM-2PM on Saturdays and Sundays.  
  • Washington St. Clinic located at 157 W. Washington St:  The Washington St. Clinic treated 22 patients yesterday and has seen 20 patients today so far.  Washington St. Clinic is open 8AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

• CALL CENTER VOLUMES:
  • 392-DOCS line had 26 phone calls yesterday.
  • Call Center volumes: 493 calls answered since Friday (does not include 392-DOCS line).  Average queue hold 1 minute 52 seconds with 93% answered.

• WANT TO CHECK IN WITH A LOVED ONE WHO IS AT MAJOR HOSPITAL?
  • Managing visitation:  Indiana hospitals are strictly enforcing visitation rules.  We are following the same policies.  However, Major Hospital understands you still need to see and hear your loved one.  That’s why we have initiated using FaceTime or Skype connectivity for patients and their family members.  We have dedicated iPads that our patients can use to communicate with the outside world using our dedicated Wi-Fi access.  The inpatient nursing staff is also offering family members a phone number to call in for daily updates and offering to make daily calls to the patient’s family if preferred. 

• MHP TESTING STATUS: Please understand we are only able to report numbers and results of MHP patients who had their testing ordered or performed through MHP.  The Shelby County Health Department receives the positive results for ALL Shelby County residents, regardless of the location where the testing was performed.  If the COVID-19 test was not ordered or performed by MHP, we are not notified of the test or the result.  Consequently, our reported testing data will differ from that information available through the Indiana State Department of Health, the CDC and the Shelby County Health Department. 

• Number of MHP patients tested: 138
• Number of pending results: 33
• Number of positive results: 13 (increase of 2 since yesterday)
  • Currently, we have 6 inpatients that have tested positive and 5 inpatients have pending tests. 
• If you want updated statistics for Shelby County and/or the State of Indiana, please visit https://coronavirus.in.gov/.      
• If you want updated statistics for the United States, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html

• TESTING STATUS:  
  • Number of available swabs/media: 340.  We will continue to follow the ISDH/CDC testing protocols to determine which patients are eligible for testing. 
  • The Lilly testing location has expanded its testing criteria to include essential public employees and those in the community considered vulnerable to the virus.  Please visit https://www.info.lillycovid19testing.com/ for more information.
  • Both the Washington St. Clinic and Priority Care are able to test patients for COVID-19.  However, both are continuing to follow the recommended ISDH testing criteria which has been expanded as of 4/1.   The updated testing requirements are listed on the ISDH website.    

• MHP INPATIENT STATUS:
  • Current number of inpatients:  23
  • Current number of patients with respiratory signs/symptoms: 19 (3 patients are on a vent and 1 is on BiPap and 1 is on a trilogy device)
  • Number of available beds: 17

• MHP EMERGENCY DEPT STATUS:
  • Number of ER patients in last 24 hours: 48
  • Number of ER patients with respiratory signs/symptoms: 18 (representing 37.5%)
  • 9 patients are in the ACC

• RESOURCES: 
  • https://www.mymhp.org/services/virtual-visits/  or 392-DOCS (answered 24/7)
  • https://coronavirus.in.gov/.      
  • https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html
  • Indiana State Dept of Health Call Center for Healthcare workers and the general public (staffed 8AM-8PM) (317) 233-7125.  Please call (317) 233-1325 after hours. 
  • For the Shelby County Health Department, please call (317) 392-6470.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today signed an executive order requiring all K-12 schools in Indiana to provide instruction via remote learning for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year and outlines options for districts to continue education during the fight against COVID-19. Click here for a link to the executive order: https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm

“Students are the future of our state and teachers are the heart of our schools,” Gov. Holcomb said. “While COVID-19 is impacting every classroom, our teachers, administrators, school board members and school staff are going to extraordinary levels to deliver quality learning to students all across our state, even while school buildings are closed. We’ll continue to do everything we can to empower educators and parents, while protecting students’ health.”

To complete the school year, all schools previously received a 20-day waiver to reduce the number of required in-person or remote instruction days to 160. Schools must continue to provide instruction via remote learning until they complete either:

• 160 instructional days or
• At least 20 additional days of remote learning between the date of the executive order (today) and the end of the school year. If a school completes 20 days and falls short of the required 160 instructional days, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) can waive the difference.

All K-12 schools will need to submit a plan for review and approval by IDOE by April 17. The plan can include eLearning, extended learning, project-based or portfolio learning, competency-based learning, partnerships with higher education for increased student supports, and other similar methods.

The governor, in conjunction with Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jennifer McCormick, also directed the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) to provide flexibility for school corporations for students who are to graduate in 2020. A school corporation may issue an Indiana diploma to a student who has done all of the following:

• Has met all of the course and credit requirements for the specific diploma designation based on a combination of high school credits earned prior to and the course in which a student was enrolled as of March 19, when the governor issued the statewide school closure.
• Meets any virtual or remote learning participation requirements established by the governing body of the local school corporation in response to the statewide school closure order issued by the governor.
• Meets any additional graduation requirements established by the governing body of the local school corporation prior to the school closure order issued by the governor.

The executive order also extends teacher licenses expiring between March 1, 2020 and Aug. 31, 2020 until Sept. 1, 2020.

Other deadlines and requirements for the current school year will be reviewed by Dr. McCormick, the executive director of SBOE, and relevant state agencies. They will submit recommendations to the Governor by April 7 for review and further action.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jennifer McCormick said that schools will remain closed through the rest of the school year. Schools must switch to remote learning.

High School seniors who have their credits, including those for classes they're currently enrolled in, will get their diplomas. For every other student, requirements to move on to the next grade are unchanged.

McCormick working to get students educated and moved on to the next grade.

McCormick says there’s no clear answer as to the impact on things like summer school and the next school year.

Gov. Holcomb also ordered all non-public schools to close.

All Decatur County restaurants are now closed, increasing financial stress for workers already grappling with the governor’s statewide ban on in-person restaurant dining.

The Decatur County Board of Commissioners approved the emergency restrictions to slow the spread of coronavirus.

The county of 25,000 people has the state’s highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases per capita.

Commissioners acknowledged the hardship imposed on businesses by the new measures, which include halting carryout and delivery services permitted in other counties under Gov. Eric Holcomb’s stay-at-home order.

“These restrictions will be revisited as the COVID-19 circumstances change,” the board of commissioners said in a Facebook post. “This is an ongoing and evolving public health crisis.”

Employees at Dairy Point, a family-owned Greensburg restaurant known for its ice cream, feared the closures would result in a local economic crisis.

“ not spending money. I know my coworkers aren’t spending any money. So it’s going to hurt the whole community,” said Diane Strasburger, an employee and lifelong customer at Dairy Point.

Strasburger says shutting down the dining area cost the restaurant an estimated 50% of its revenue.

A steady amount of customers placed their final carryout orders Wednesday evening before the countywide closures took effect. Several stopped by the restaurant to use the curbside delivery service.

Regular customers include Greensburg hospital workers, firefighters, police officers, and other essential workers on the front lines of the fight against coronavirus, she said.

“Law enforcement still needs fed. Our fire department still needs fed. Our customers need us here,” says Strasburger.

Restaurant owners learned about the new restrictions Tuesday night. Some disposed of food they had ordered in anticipation of ongoing delivery service.

Several barrels of Dairy Point ice cream would likely be thrown out, workers said.

Despite her concerns about the future of restaurants, Strasburger said she appreciated the ramped-up response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I mean, I know two of the people ,” she said. “I grew up with one. I know it’s bad. I know the virus is bad. But I know it’s bad everywhere. Why isn’t it coming from the governor to shut down the whole state?”

Refusal to comply could result in permit suspension and arrest, according to county commissioners.

Violation of the emergency order deemed to be “knowing, intentional or reckless” is a class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today announced that 474 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 3,039 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total.

Seventy-eight Hoosiers have died to date. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days.

To date, 16,285 tests have been reported to ISDH, up from 14,375 on Wednesday.

Marion County had the most new cases, at 192. Other counties with more than 10 new cases were Decatur (10), Clark (11), Floyd (13), Hamilton (21), Hendricks (24) and Lake (28). The complete list of counties with cases is included in the ISDH COVID-19 dashboard at coronavirus.in.gov/, which will be updated daily at 10 a.m. Cases are listed by county of residence. Private lab reporting may be delayed and will be reflected in the map and count when results are received at ISDH.

The dashboard also has been updated to make corrections based on updated information provided to ISDH.

Additional updates on the state’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak may be provided later today. 

Major Health Partners appreciates the public's help and donations during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

For anyone able, a list follows from MHP of items that would be valuable:

We need your empty hand sanitizer bottles.  We are making our own hand sanitizer and need your empty containers in order to reuse.    

Do you have items that you would like to donate?  (hand sanitizer, masks, respirators, gloves, N95, bouffant caps, D-batteries, or gowns).  If so, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org)

Food Donations:  Several community supporters have called to offer to donate food for our staff and physicians.  Some are also doing it as a way to support those restaurants who are struggling to stay afloat while they are only open for carryout.  We are extremely grateful for all the community support and selfless gestures.  If you would like to find out more information, please contact Angela Gill (agill@majorhospital.org).   

Pharmacy:  Our current medication supply is stable, however, our ability to replenish our supply is unknown at this time.  Propofol is projected to be in shortage starting 4/19.  We are researching our options and plans for an alternative solution or supplier.       

Beds:  We are receiving a donation of 7 inpatient beds from the Blue River Career Center. 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):  our current supply is stable as compared to our daily burn rate. 

We have 10 emergency ventilators that run on D-batteries only.  The batteries are required to be changed every 48 hours.  Our engineering staff are currently exploring how to covert these devices from battery operated to electric. 

Work is expected to begin next week on a $9.7 million asphalt resurface contract on I-74 in Decatur County.

A nine-mile section of the interstate will be patched, milled and repaved between Greensburg and New Point. 

Both day and nighttime lane closures will be in effect beginning on or after Monday, April 6. A 55 mph speed restriction (when flashing) will also be in place.

The contract was awarded to Dave O'Mara Contractor Inc. in January and is expected to be complete by the end of September. Motorists should slow down, watch for slowed and/or stopped traffic, and drive distraction-free through all work zones. All work is weather dependent.

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today announced that 409 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 2,565 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total.

Sixty-five Hoosiers have died to date. Deaths have occurred over multiple days and are reported based on when data are received by ISDH.

To date, 14,375 tests have been reported to ISDH, up from 13,373 on Tuesday.

Marion County had the most new cases, at 159. Other counties with more than 10 new cases were Hamilton (49), Hendricks (21), Johnson (17) and Lake (25). The complete list of counties with cases is included in the ISDH COVID-19 dashboard at coronavirus.in.gov, which will be updated daily at 10 a.m. Cases are listed by county of residence. Private lab reporting may be delayed and will be reflected in the map and count when results are received at ISDH.

The dashboard also has been updated to make corrections based on updated information provided to ISDH.

Additional updates on the state’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak may be provided later today. 

Shelby County resident Marsha Mings is home after a hospital stay due to COVID-19.

Mings said her ordeal started in the early morning hours of March 16.

Mings said fever was also present although it wasn’t the worst part of her illness.

She said getting the test results hits you even though it wasn’t a great surprise.

The family still doesn’t know how they contracted COVID-19 or from where.  Mings says her other family members are doing fine.

Mings says the virus just took so much out of her she wasn’t much phased by the hospital staff and medical staff treating her.  She said she began to feel better with the use of hydrochloroquine.

Mings says her faith was tested by the ordeal but didn’t waiver.

Mings says she and her parents are home recovering.  She doesn’t have a lot of energy and even simple household tasks can be taxing as she gets her strength back.