HANCOCK COUNTY — Eight new COVID-19 cases were reported in Hancock County Wednesday, which, if confirmed, represents the biggest single-day rise since the virus was first detected in the county less than two weeks ago.
The Indiana State Department of Health tallied Hancock County’s total of reported positive COVID-19 cases at 33. That includes two deaths — one reported on March 24 and the other on March 31.
Crystal Baker, office manager and preparedness coordinator for the Hancock County Health Department, said on Tuesday that data released by the state will ebb and flow based on duplicate cases and out-of-county changes.
The number of cases is also not a real-time tally; rather, it reflects results of tests that were given days earlier.
County health department officials could not be reached for comment on the latest figures by press time Wednesday.
Since Hancock County’s first two cases were reported on March 22, its second-biggest single-day increase in cases was on March 28, when the total rose by six to 19.
Statewide on Wednesday, positive cases rose more than 400 to 2,565, deaths rose 16 to 65 and total tests rose more than 1,000 to 14,375.
Craig Felty, vice president, chief nursing officer and chief operating officer of Hancock Regional Hospital, said Wednesday that the hospital’s total of positive cases has not risen from the two previously reported. Both are in relatively stable condition, he continued. Felty added the hospital is waiting on results from about six or seven tests.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box said Tuesday, when the state reported 14 additional deaths, that those deaths had occurred over the previous two weeks. The state health department only reports additional deaths once there is a confirmed positive test for COVID-19 in each case, she said.
Marion County, the home of Indianapolis, had 159 of the state’s new coronavirus cases reported Wednesday. Indianapolis and the seven counties surrounding it account for 63% of Indiana’s confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 1,117 cases alone in Marion County.
Wednesday’s state update shows that only nine of Indiana’s 92 counties have no coronavirus cases.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. Older adults and people with existing health problems are among those particularly susceptible to more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover.
On Tuesday, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signed two executive orders meant to aid in the fight against COVID-19. One extends requirements for bars, nightclubs and restaurants to stay closed to dine-in patrons until 11:59 p.m. April 6. Establishments may continue providing takeout and delivery services.
The second order eases government operations including permitting electronic notary services to remotely review and approve documents.
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Indiana COVID-19 data as of 11:59 p.m. March 31
Total positive cases
- Hancock County: 33
- Indiana: 2,565
Total deaths
- Hancock County: 2
- Indiana: 65
Total tested in state: 14,375
Source: Indiana State Department of Health
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