State’s count is up over four-day period

Indiana has seen a spike. Whether it’s the peak, time will tell.

Twenty-one percent of the state’s total cases of COVID-19 as of midnight Saturday were reported to Indiana State Department of Health in the previous four days.

Sunday’s update, which covered cases and deaths reported to the state department of health during the 24-hour period ending at midnight Saturday, showed 577 new cases of the disease caused by coronavirus. The state’s new case number Sunday follows 529 cases in Saturday’s report, 642 Friday and 611 Thursday. Those reports combined for a four-day total of 2,359 cases — 21% of the state’s total of 11,210.

Also included in Sunday’s report were 17 new deaths as a result of COVID-19. Indiana has had 562 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said Friday that he would sign an executive order today to extend the state’s stay-at-home order through May 1. The current order is set to expire at midnight. The state’s initial stay-at-home order went into effect at midnight March 24.

Sunday’s report of new cases included one in Jay County, bringing the local total to nine.

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% of Indiana’s population of 6.73 million.

Just under 10% 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 – five.

Ohio reported 1,380 new cases Sunday, the second day in a row that its number cleared 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%. It was as high as 45% in late March.

Lake County is next at 9.9%.

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.