Stay at home pushed by two weeks

Hoosiers will be staying at home for at least a couple more weeks.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Friday announced that he will extend the state's stay-at-home order for two weeks in the ongoing effort to slow the spread of coronavirus.

The extension means Hoosiers will stay at home through April 21. The governor’s previous order was set to expire Tuesday.

Gov. Mike DeWine on Thursday extended Ohio’s stay-at-home order through May 1.

Holcomb continued to urge residents to avoid unnecessary trips outside their homes and to practice social distancing.

“These are not normal times and we cannot act as if they are,” added State health commissioner Dr. Kristina Box. “I know it’s hard to think about missing a family gathering, but the best thing we can do to protect our loved ones is follow the guidelines.”

The extension of Indiana’s stay-at-home order came on the same day Randolph County and Mercer County each announced their first deaths as a result of COVID-19.

Darke County reported its third death from COVID-19 on Friday. All three are related to confirmed cases at Greenville Healthcare and Rehab.

The deceased in Randolph County was identified as an adult female over the age of 60. She died Tuesday.

“We mourn the death and extend our prayers and sympathies to the patient’s family and friends,” said Randolph County Health Officer Dr. Kenneth Sowinski in a press release. “This serves as an unfortunate reminder to all of the Randolph County community about the importance of staying at home and practicing social distancing when leaving the home for essential activities or work in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 and help protect our most vulnerable neighbors.”

Mercer County’s death was a 71-year-old male who was recently hospitalized.

“Mercer County Health District staff would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the gentleman who died,” said Mercer County Health District administrator Jason Menchhofer in a press release.

The district on Friday reported it has a total of six confirmed cases, 21 pending cases and two hospitalizations in Mercer County.

Jay County currently has two confirmed cases. Case counts in the rest of the region are as follows: Delaware County – 30; Darke County – 26; Randolph County – four; Wells County – two; Adams County – one; Blackford County – one.

Ohio’s case count went up to 3,312, an increase of 410 from Thursday’s report. The state has had 91 deaths.

Indiana’s totals as of Friday’s report were 3,437 cases and 101 deaths. Forty-two percent of the state’s cases are in Marion County (Indianapolis).

Health officials continue to indicate the actual numbers are likely much higher because testing for COVID-19 is still limited.

Following Thursday’s announcement by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick that schools will stay closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year, Jay Schools provided some additional guidance for members of the Class of 2020.

Guidance counselors are in the process of evaluating each senior’s records and will make contact with those students by April 17 if they have additional coursework that needs to be completed.

McCormick on Thursday said seniors will graduate if they have enough credits based on those earned through the first semester this year and those they are enrolled in for the current semester. Graduation testing requirements have been waived.

Jay County High School dual credit courses will continue in consultation with partner colleges and grades will be assigned. Those who would like to withdraw from those opportunities must notify their teachers by email.

The corporation again reiterated its commitment to holding a prom and graduation ceremony. In a post on the Jay Schools page on Facebook, superintendent Jeremy Gulley also gave students an idea of some of the other things he’s thinking about for when stay-at-home orders are lifted.

“Imagine a ‘Month of Memories’ that we will make for our seniors the moment we are allowed to gather again,” he said. “The Class of 2020 will get their time to laugh, hug, bond, dream, play, celebrate and say goodbye.”

Fort Recovery Elementary School will have drop boxes available from 10 to 11:30 a.m. today for paper e-learning assignments and school library books.

The Village of Fort Recovery reported Friday a lighting project at Community Park is complete. It will provide lighting for morning and evening walks on the park’s trail.

For most, COVID-19 symptoms are mild to moderate, including fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. Older adults and those with pre-existing health problems are susceptible to more severe illnesses.

The virus can be spread 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

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend frequent hand washing, avoiding close contact with others, covering coughs and sneezes with a facial tissue and cleaning frequently touched surfaces daily. It has now added a recommendation to cover the mouth and nose with a cloth mask when around others, for example, when at the grocery store.