State reports 577 new cases

For the fourth day in a row, Indiana reported more than 500 new cases of COVID-19.

Indiana State Department of Health showed 577 new cases of the disease caused by coronavirus in the report it released at noon today. That includes one additional case in Jay County, bringing the local total to nine.

The state’s new case number today follows 529 cases in Saturday’s report, 642 Friday and 611 Thursday.

Also included in today’s report were 17 new deaths as a result of COVID-19.

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

The last four reports from the state have totaled a combined 2,359 new cases. That means 21 percent of Indiana’s 11,210 total cases have been reported to Indiana State Department of Health since midnight Tuesday.

Health officials continue to indicate the actual numbers are likely higher because testing for COVID-19 is still limited. According to the state department of health, 61,142 Hoosiers have been tested. That’s less than 1 percent of Indiana’s population of 6.73 million.

Just under 10 percent of those tested in Jay County — a total of 93 — have been positive for COVID-19.

Area county case totals are as follows: Delaware – 110; Darke – 56; Mercer – 13; Randolph – 12; Adams – seven; Blackford – six; and Wells – 5.

Ohio reported 1,380 new cases today, the second day in a row that its number clear the 1,000 mark. It also reported 20 new deaths.

The state's totals are now 11,602 cases and 471 deaths.

Marion County’s percentage of total Indiana cases is now hovering around 35 percent. It was as high as 45 percent in late March.

Lake County is next at 9.9 percent.

Coronavirus is spread through respiratory droplets from sneezes and coughs, close personal contact and touching something with the virus on it and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes before washing hands. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines encourage frequent hand washing, avoiding touching the face with unwashed hands, avoiding close contact with those who are sick, and covering coughs and sneezes with a facial tissue and wearing a mask in public.

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.