Randolph joins list

Randolph County added its name to the ever-lengthening list.

Jay and Blackford counties are two of just 23 in Indiana that aren’t on it.

Indiana saw its largest single-day increase in confirmed cases of COVID-19 — 336 — on Thursday, with Randolph County Heath Department reporting its first two presumptive positive cases.

As the United States surpassed China for the most cases worldwide (see related story), Indiana’s number jumped to 981. There were seven additional deaths in the state Thursday, bringing the total to 24.

Ohio now has 867 confirmed cases and 15 deaths.

Positive case totals for counties adjacent to Jay are: Delaware – 8; Randolph – 2; Adams – 1; Wells – 1; Mercer – 1; Darke – 1; Blackford – 0.

Health officials continue to indicate that the actual numbers are likely much higher because testing for COVID-19 is still limited.

Randolph County Health Department reported that one of the county’s COVID-19 patients is hospitalized while the other is recovering at home. Its staff is working to contact those who may have been exposed.

A post on the City of Winchester’s Facebook page Thursday noted that its city council, mayor, clerk-treasurer and their staffs may have been exposed to coronavirus during their March 16 council meeting. They are self-quarantined through Tuesday on the advice of Randolph County Health Department.

Mayor Jack Robbins reported this morning that Dunkirk’s city departments, with the exception of police and fire, will be on-call only beginning Monday. Those in need of assistance can call the city building at (765) 768-6565 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and the police department at (765) 768-6061 after hours.

Portland City Hall and Redkey Town Hall have both been closed to the public since March 16. Dunkirk City Building closed the next day. Those who need to pay utility bills can do so via a drop box or at paygov.us.

The City of Portland roped off its playground equipment with police tape Thursday, closing those areas to the public. Such equipment is a prime area for the spread of disease. The rest of the park areas are open.

State Police Superintendent Doug Carter said he was looking into reports of police officers stopping people to ask them why they were on the road. Carter said police departments have been directed to not require proof from people while the stay-at-home order is in place.

“Our communities have seen a significant decrease in movement — it’s working,” Carter said. “But there is no need for you to carry a document with you, nor can law enforcement officers stop you simply to say: ‘What are you doing out here?’”

Indiana’s new unemployment claims skyrocketed last week to 62,777 compared to 3,400 claims a week earlier, said Fred Payne, the state workforce development agency commissioner. The most new jobless claims Indiana has ever seen in a month was 157,000 in March 2009, Payne said.

Indiana National Guard members on Thursday started distributing medical supplies to hospitals and county health departments. Federal sources have provided several truckloads of masks, face shields and gowns, said Dr. Kristina Box, the state health commissioner.

Schneck Medical Center in Seymour placed 63 employees on a 14-day quarantine after they came in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. A patient who came in for treatment but did not initially show any symptoms of the disease began to develop symptoms over time, hospital spokeswoman Stephanie Furlow told the Indianapolis Star.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.