Indiana reports 650 new cases

The state’s new case total cleared the 600 mark again.

Indiana State Department of Health reported 650 new cases of COVID-19 today, surpassing 600 for the sixth consecutive day. That follows yesterday’s high mark of 963 new cases.

More than a quarter of the state’s total of 16,588 cases have been reported in the last six days, with Indiana averaging 700 per day over that span.

The state department of health also reported 57 new deaths today, bringing the Indiana total to 901.

Jay County reported its 13th case of COVID-19 on Monday, though that case was not part of today’s state report. Delaware County leads the area with 152 cases, followed by Darke (75), Mercer (18), Randolph (15), Adams (seven), Blackford (seven) and Wells (five).

Marion County (Indianapolis) accounts for 30.6 percent of the state’s cases with Lake County (Gary) next at 10.3. Cass County (Logansport), which had an outbreak at a Tyson Foods meatpacking plant, follows at 6.6 percent.

Ohio reported 444 new cases today, bringing its total to 16,769. It had 46 new deaths for a total of 799.

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, cough and shortness of breath that clear up in two to three weeks. Other symptoms may include chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and loss of taste or smell. Older adults and those with pre-existing health problems are susceptible to more severe illnesses.