This story has been updated to correct information about a pet supply company’s operations. Speck’s Pet Supplies is running on reduced hours.
HANCOCK COUNTY — Tuesday was the first day of an extended-stay-at home order in Indiana along with modified business restrictions in an ongoing effort to contain COVID-19.
The number of cases rose again on Tuesday. A total of 89 residents now have tested positive for the disease in Hancock County, adding 17 to the total reported the day before. Two have died from the coronavirus in the county since it was first recorded here in late March. Total COVID-19 tests went up 86 to 486 for Hancock County, according to the Indiana State Department of Health.
Statewide, 34 more Indiana residents have died from COVID-19, boosting the state’s death toll during the pandemic to 173 as its confirmed coronavirus cases surged past 5,000, state health officials said Tuesday.
The 34 new deaths reported Tuesday were the largest number the Indiana State Department of Health has reported to date in its daily pandemic updates, following 24 deaths the state agency reported last Friday.
The department has said that the additional deaths it reports each day occurred over multiple days.
The health department also reported Tuesday that an additional 568 Hoosiers had confirmed cases of COVD-19, increasing Indiana’s total cases to 5,507 following corrections to the previous day’s total.
The daily increments do not represent what has occurred over the past 24 hours, but rather what’s been processed; the numbers reflect activity over multiple days.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Monday signed the new two-week stay-at-home order he announced last week, which lasts until 11:59 p.m. April 20.
The order, which can be read here, mostly continues what has been in place, but with some modifications and restrictions. Retail businesses providing “necessities of life” can remain open but should limit the number of customers at any given time, limit operating hours to restock and clean and set hours for elderly and other vulnerable populations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says older adults and those with underlying health conditions may be at higher risk to become very sick from COVID-19.
All other Indiana retail businesses can be open if they restrict sales to online or call-in ordering with delivery or curbside pickup, according to the new order.
“Hoosiers have done a great job adapting to the new rules put in place during this public health emergency, but I believe the next two weeks to month could be the most critical for all of us,” Holcomb said in a news release. “So I am asking you to take even more precautions: only make in-person purchases when absolutely needed and use other delivery and pickup options when available. Limit who is traveling with you and entering stores.”
At his regular daily briefing Tuesday afternoon, Holcomb reiterated the need for people to stay home.
“It’s time to hunker down,” the governor said.
Some businesses in Greenfield have shut down entirely. Others remained open on Tuesday. Stores including Home Depot, Tractor Supply Co., PetSmart and GNC were open, some with signage posted on their front doors about maintaining social distancing. The local Sherwin-Williams store was following instructions from the national paint company by providing only curbside pickup services. Speck’s Pet Supplies is running on reduced hours.
Customers entering Walmart in Greenfield now make their way through an aisle of cones outside with signs reminding them to keep at least 6 feet apart. Staff monitors the customers as they enter the store.
Meijer stores in McCordsville and Cumberland have changed their hours to 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The order states professional services should be conducted virtually or by telephone. All campgrounds are closed except for people using recreational vehicles or cabins as their primary residences. State parks remain open to daily visitors. All public and private gatherings that include more than 10 people continue to be prohibited.
Employers must continue complying with Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards. The administration accepts violation complaints at in.gov/dol.
Holcomb’s administration has also created a multi-agency enforcement response team led by the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission to respond to and investigate other violations of the new order.
The state’s Critical Industries Hotline continues to be available 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday for questions about whether businesses are considered essential. It can be reached at 877-820-0890 and [email protected].
Kristy Deer and Jessica Karins of the Daily Reporter staff contributed to this story.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”By the numbers” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
COVID-19 data as of April 6
Hancock County
- Positive cases: 89
- Deaths: 2
- Tests: 486
Indiana
- Positive cases: 5,507
- Deaths: 173
- Tests: 28,764
U.S.
- Positive cases: 330,891
- Deaths: 8,910
Sources: Indiana State Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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