Stay-at-home to be extended

We’ll be staying at home a little longer.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Friday that he will extend the state’s stay-at-home order through May 1.

“That’s not to say that we’re going to pull up immediately after that,” said Holcomb, who will sign the executive order extending the stay-at-home period Monday. “It just means it’s going to allow us to make some changes or some tweaks, some accommodations, as we see appropriate around the state of Indiana.”

The order that is currently in place had been set to expire at midnight Monday. Indiana has been under a stay-at-home order since midnight March 24.

Ohio’s stay-at-home order, which began at midnight March 23, also runs through May 1.

Holcomb’s announcement came as Indiana State Department of Health reported 642 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, the highest thus far during the coronavirus pandemic.

The state also reported 42 new deaths as a result of COVID-19. It marks the third straight day that the new death total has surpassed 40.

Both the new case and death numbers cover those reported to the state department of health during the 24-hour period ending at midnight Thursday.

Jay County has had eight positive tests for COVID-19. Other area county case totals are as follows: Delaware – 91, Darke – 55; Mercer – 13; Randolph – 10; Adams – six; Blackford – six; and Wells – five.

Indiana now has a total of 10,154 cases of COVID-19 and 519 deaths.

Ohio reported 693 new cases and 29 new deaths Friday. The state now has 9,107 cases and 418 deaths.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Holcomb and governors from Michigan, Kentucky, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota announced Thursday they would be working “in close coordination” on plans for lifting stay-at-home orders.