New highs

The worst thus far.

Indiana is faced with that reality as this morning’s report from the state department of the health showed the most new cases and most deaths since the coronavirus pandemic began.

The report, which is released at 10 a.m. each day, indicated 563 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 34 deaths, bringing the totals in Indiana to 5,507 cases and 173 deaths. The previous single-day highs were 503 new cases and 24 deaths.

Jay County’s case total remained the same at three. Fifty-seven county residents have been tested for coronavirus.

Darke County, Ohio, on Monday reported its sixth death from COVID-19. All of them have been at Greenville Health and Rehabilitation.

Case totals in area counties are as follows: Delaware – 40; Darke – 32; Mercer – eight; Blackford – four; Adams – two; and Wells – two.

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

In its report Monday afternoon, Ohio had 4,450 cases of COVID-19 and 142 deaths.

Jay County Clerk Jon Eads on Monday offered guidance for those who want to vote by mail in the primary election, which has been moved to June 2. (Early voting will begin May 5.)

Those who would prefer to vote by mail can request an application from the clerk’s office by calling (260) 726-4951 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays or by going to indianavoters.com. Applications for a mail-in ballot should be sent to Jay County Clerk, 120 N. Court St., Portland, IN 47371.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Monday officially extended the state’s stay-at-home order, as well as limits on in-person activity at state government offices and restrictions on restaurants, bars and nightclubs, until midnight April 20. The new order states 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 special hours for elderly and other vulnerable populations; and limit hours of operation to restock and clean.

All campgrounds will be closed except for those who use recreational vehicles or cabins as their primary residence, Holcomb said. State parks remain open to daily visitors.

Ohio’s updated stay-at-home order, which runs through May 1, went into effect at midnight. It includes new guidelines requiring essential retail operations to determine a maximum number of customers allowed in the store to account for proper physical distancing.

Bethany Pointe Health Campus in Anderson, like Greenville Health and Rehabilitation, has been the site of a COVID-19 outbreak, with 11 deaths. Three workers there have been hospitalized, including two in critical condition, Indiana Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box said Monday. The state is helping to transfer residents there without COVID-19 symptoms to another skilled nursing home, she added.

She said an outbreak in a nursing home had been her biggest fear from the coronavirus pandemic.

“This is a heartbreaking situation and illustrates what a brutal toll the COVID-19 can take on our most vulnerable populations. Unfortunately, this will not be the last outbreak of this kind,” Box said.