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Indiana coronavirus updates for Friday, April 3, 2020

Friday's latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic.

INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR/TEGNA/AP) — Friday's latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic.

The number of U.S. deaths from COVID-19 passed 7,000 Friday night after reaching 6,000 early in the morning, according to numbers from Johns Hopkins University. More than a quarter of those are in New York City.

The worldwide total of confirmed COVID-19 cases is just over 1 million with roughly 58,000 deaths and 226,000 recoveries.

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.

Chinese man jailed after not reporting travel

A Chinese court has sentenced a man to 18 months in jail for failing to report traveling abroad from March 1-6, refusing to answer phone calls from authorities and having his mother lie about his activities, according to a joint statement from the Supreme People’s Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security.

The statement said the man, identified only by his surname, Guo, went to work by subway in the central city of Zhengzhou on March 8-9. After developing a fever and sore throat, he was confirmed to be infected with coronavirus. Authorities then placed more than 40 people who had been in close contact with him under quarantine.

Most regions of China have required those arriving from overseas or even other parts of the country to undergo a 14-day quarantine, either at home or at a government-designated facility such as a hotel.

China reports 1 new case in Wuhan; 18 among people from abroad

China reported one new confirmed case Saturday in the epicenter of Wuhan and 18 among people arriving from abroad, along with four new deaths, all in Wuhan.

China now has recorded a total of 81,639 cases and 3,326 deaths, although those figures are generally considered to be understated because of a lack of testing and a reluctance to report the scale of the original outbreak.

Trump makes nomination for Treasury special inspector general

President Donald Trump is nominating Brian D. Miller to serve as special inspector general for pandemic recovery at the Treasury Department. Miller currently serves as a special assistant to the president and as senior associate counsel in the Office of White House Counsel.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is overseeing the massive government bailout package that aims to shovel $2.2 trillion into the U.S. economy over the next few weeks to try to cushion its free fall during the coronavirus pandemic. It includes $349 billion in loans for small businesses and a $500 billion corporate rescue fund.

The legislation passed by Congress and signed by Trump last week created the special inspector general position as well as a panel appointed by Congress to monitor how the aid is deployed.

RELATED: Stimulus check calculator: See how much you'll likely be getting

Hobby Lobby closing its stores

Hobby Lobby announced that the ongoing coronavirus crisis is prompting it to close its stores until further notice.

In a statement, the Oklahoma City-based crafts retail chain said it also is furloughing all of its store employees and many of its corporate and distribution workers. Hobby Lobby had resisted efforts to close its stores as nonessential services, saying its sale of fabric was essential. A team enforcing Denver’s shelter-in-place order had issued citations to Hobby Lobby stores. On Thursday, deputies in Dallas County, Texas, served Hobby Lobby with cease-and-desist orders for it to close or be found in violation of the county’s order closing all nonessential businesses to fight the spread of COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus.

Hobby Lobby describes itself as the world’s largest privately owned arts-and-crafts retailer with more than 900 stores in 46 states and over 43,000 employees, according to the chain’s website.

Trump says administration 'doing our best for New York' as Cuomo warns state ventilators supply in danger

President Donald Trump says his administration is “doing our best for New York” even as Governor Andrew Cuomo warns the state is in danger of not having enough ventilators to help coronavirus-stricken patients in a matter of days.

Earlier on Friday, Cuomo signed an executive order allowing the state to take unused ventilators and personal protective equipment from hospitals within the state. The state, which recorded more than 2,900 coronavirus deaths, has been the hardest hit area in the U.S. by the pandemic.

Trump says New York should have ordered more ventilators years ago. He also notes that the federal government is trying to assist other hot spots, including Louisiana and Michigan.

Supreme Court postpones April arguments

The Supreme Court says it will postpone arguments scheduled for April because of the coronavirus pandemic, but isn't ruling out hearing some arguments within months.

Friday's announcement means a total of 20 arguments scheduled for March and April have now been postponed. That includes fights over subpoenas for President Donald Trump’s financial records. The court says it will consider rescheduling some cases before the end of the term “if circumstances permit in light of public health and safety guidance at the time.”

Trump uses law to prevent export of masks, supplies

President Donald Trump is directing FEMA to prevent export of N95 masks and surgical gloves under the Defense Production Act. He says the move is necessary to assure that the medical supplies are available for domestic medical use.

The move comes one day after the White House announced Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to compel Minnesota-based 3M to make as many N95 masks as the Federal Emergency Management Agency determines are needed.

CDC recommends cloth face coverings where hard to social distance

The federal government is telling Americans that they should cover their faces in public settings and other places where social distancing is difficult, like grocery stores and pharmacies.

The White House says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that Americans cover their faces when leaving the home, especially around other people. But President Donald Trump is calling it “voluntary” and says he himself won’t wear a mask.

The latest guidance suggests that Americans use makeshift coverings, such as T-shirts, scarves or bandanas to cover their noses and mouths. Medical-grade masks, especially N95 masks, are to be reserved for those on the front lines of trying to contain the pandemic.

The policy change comes as public health officials are concerned that those without symptoms can spread the virus which causes COVID-19.

Second ISP employee tests positive for COVID-19

Indiana State Police say a civilian employee has tested positive for coronavirus.

The employee of the State Police's General Headquarters in Indianapolis had been admitted to the hospital for a medical issue. Friday, the employee received notice they had tested positive for the virus.

The employee remains in the hospital, state police said. The employee is the second confirmed case of COVID-19 at Indiana State Police.

Officials are notifying the employee's co-workers and working to disinfect the affected work area.

White House task force gives daily briefing

President Donald Trump and the Coronavirus Task Force are giving their daily briefing on the administration's response to the pandemic:


President Donald Trump and the White House coronavirus task force are holding a briefing in Washington. On Friday, U.S. death toll passed 6,000 people and worldwide total cases have passed 1 million.

Posted by WTHR-TV on Friday, April 3, 2020

Walmart limiting number of customers in stores starting April 4

Starting Saturday, April 4, Walmart says it will limit the number of customers in a store at once.

Stores will now allow no more than five customers for each 1,000 square feet at a given time, roughly 20 percent of a store’s capacity.

To manage this restriction, the associates at a store will mark a queue at a single-entry door (in most cases the Grocery entrance) and direct arriving customers there, where they will be admitted one-by-one and counted.

Once a store reaches its capacity, customers will be admitted inside on a “1-out-1-in” basis.

Walmart is also encouraging families to bring the least amount of people into the store as possible.

Gov. Holcomb extends stay-at-home order

On Friday, the Governor announced that he would extend the state's stay-at-home order for two additional weeks.

The previous order was put in place from March 25 through April 7. The new order will run through April 20.

The order says that Hoosiers should stay in their homes except when they are part of an essential business or for permitted activities, such as taking care of others, obtaining necessary supplies, and for health and safety.

The restrictions on bars and restaurants will also be extended an additional two weeks – to April 20 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The executive order will be signed Monday.

Carmel mayor urges testing of all assisted living and nursing home employees

Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard announced that the city will begin coordinating COVID-19 testing at local assisted living facilities and nursing homes through Aria Diagnostics, a local lab, which has the ability to test large numbers of people quickly.

The tests are the same tests authorized by the CDC and can be repeated on a periodic basis, the city said in a media release.

“After consulting with medical practitioners and area hospital administrators about how to best use expanded testing capacity, it was recommended that we test nursing homes and assisted living facility staff. If a resident has already been identified as having the virus, then all the residents in that facility should be tested,” said Mayor Brainard. “We are fortunate to have a local entrepreneur who has quickly converted his business to perform large numbers of these much needed tests."

The city said it is not paying for these tests for the private facilities, but there should be reimbursement under various federal laws for testing that is done.

Delaware County confirms death related to COVID-19

The Delaware County Coroners Office confirms a death investigation has been linked to COVID-19.

Officials say the death was not initially suspected to be related to the virus.

The patient had multiple preexisiting factors and while the deceased was being prepared for final arrangements, the patient's wife tested positive for COVID-19.

The coroner's office was able to determine that through the positive test of the patient's companion within days after his death, coronavirus was a contributing factor and was present in their home at the time of the patient's death.

State allows local governments to decide on releasing inmates

A letter signed by state leaders shows Indiana is ready to take action concerning inmates during the coronavirus pandemic.

The letter signed by representatives of all three branches of state government — Gov. Eric Holcomb, Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, House Speaker Todd Huston and Chief Justice Loretta Rush — acknowledges the public health emergency in Indiana and gives local jurisdictions leeway in releasing certain offenders.

In the letter, it mentions that inmates, juveniles, staff, and service providers live and work in confined spaces, making the potential for coronavirus to live and spread through the facility.

The letter suggests that every community should evaluate whether to release juveniles or inmates in a "responsible and humane manner."

The letter also stressed that no “Indiana-size solution” would fit all locations and said releasing certain offenders would ease the strain on local resources and sheriff’s departments that provide medical care to inmates.

You can read the full letter here.

Corona beer stops production due to coronavirus

Mexico's Grupo Modelo said Thursday it will temporarily stop brewing Corona beer, and other brands, because its business was declared non-essential under an order to limit the spread of coronavirus.

The company said in a statement posted to Twitter that the suspension would go into place Sunday and it was already scaling down production. It added that if the Mexican government clarifies that beer is an "agro-industrial product," then Grupo Modelo would resume brewing.

WNBA postpones start of season

The WNBA has postponed the start of its season because of the coronavirus pandemic. There is no indication when play would begin. The league was scheduled to open training camps April 26 and the regular season was set to begin May 15. The WNBA will still hold a “virtual” draft April 17. Two WNBA cities are major hot spots for the virus: New York and Seattle. The WNBA was was set to begin its 24th season. It is longest running professional women’s sports league.

Delta to allow rebookings to flights impacted by virus for up to 2 years

Delta is giving its customers up to 2 years to rebook flights that have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Delta tickets normally expire one year after purchase. However, change fees have been waived for customers who have upcoming travel booked in April or May 2020. New tickets purchased between March 1 and May 31 can be changed without a fee for up to a year from the date of purchase.

"Taking care of customers is at the center of everything we do. In these times of rapid change, we know our customers want the value of their tickets to be secure and redeemable for a longer period," the airline said in a statement.

Latest statistics on Indiana's coronavirus cases and deaths released

On Friday, the total count for COVID-19 cases stood at 3,437. Of those cases, 52.5 percent are women.

Here's a full breakdown of the age groups making up positive cases:

  • 0-19: 1.4 percent
  • 20-29: 8.8 percent
  • 30-39: 13.4 percent
  • 40-49: 16.5 percent
  • 50-59: 19.6 percent
  • 60-69: 18.4 percent
  • 70-79: 12.6 percent
  • 80+: 9.4 percent

The health department reported 102 deaths. Of those deaths, 59.6 percent were men.

Here's a full breakdown of the age groups making up COVID-19 deaths:

  • 0-19: 0 percent
  • 20-29: 0 percent
  • 30-39: 2 percent
  • 40-49: 2 percent
  • 50-59: 7.8 percent
  • 60-69: 17.6 percent
  • 70-79: 30.4 percent
  • 80+: 40.2 percent

SNAP recipients to receive max. benefits beginning Sunday

More than 152,000 Indiana households will receive additional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits beginning Sunday.

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration made the announcement Friday morning in order to help Hoosiers obtain food and support for their families while Indiana responds to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act gives states the option to provide SNAP household with the maximum SNAP allotment, which is based on household size.

Below is the amounts per household size with the maximum benefit:

  • 1 — $194
  • 2 — $355
  • 3 — $509
  • 4 — $646
  • 5 — $768
  • 6 — $921
  • 7 — $1,018
  • 8 — $1,164
  • Each additional person — add $146

HBO makes 500 hours of programming available for free

HBO has announced it will make 500 hours of programming available to stream without a subscription for a limited time.

This is an effort to bring some much-needed distraction from the coronavirus pandemic.

The offering is part of #StayHomeBoxOffice.

The promotion becomes available Friday on HBO Now and HBO Go.

ISDH confirms 24 more deaths, 13 percent jump in positive cases of coronavirus

The Indiana State Department of Health reports 398 new positive cases of COVID-19 in the state — a 13 percent jump from the previous day's numbers.

As of Friday morning, 3,437 people have tested positive for coronavirus.

ISDH reports 24 more people died, bringing the total number of deaths in the state to 102.

The 24 deaths were reported in the following counties:

  • Clark — 1 (total at 2)
  • Decatur — 1 (total at 4)
  • Fayette — 1 (total at 3)
  • Harrison — 1
  • Johnson — 1 (total at 4)
  • Lake — 1 (total at 7)
  • Lawrence — 3 (total at 4)
  • Madison — 4 (total at 7)
  • Marion — 9 (total at 33)
  • Randolph — 1
  • Rush — 1

Parke County in western Indiana reported its first positive case of COVID-19 on Thursday. Only seven of the state's 92 counties remain without a single positive case (Benton, Daviess, Martin, Perry, Pike, Pulaski and Union).

1,550 more people were tested for coronavirus on Thursday, bringing the overall total to 17,835.

Costco begins limiting customers

Costco will start limiting how many customers can come into its stores beginning Friday in a temporary effort to encourage social distancing.

The company said on its website that only two people per membership card will be allowed to enter. That means parents who normally haul their whole family to the store may have to leave some of them at home.

Costco on Monday also announced its stores will close at 6:30 p.m. on weekdays temporarily — two hours earlier than normal. Gas stations will close at 7 p.m. on weekdays and 6:30 p.m. on weekends.

Navy hospital ship in NYC has 1,000 beds, 20 patients

A Navy hospital ship, the USNS Comfort, is docked in Manhattan with 1,000 beds available to help New York City hospitals which are being overrun with coronavirus patients. As of Thursday night, 20 of those beds were reportedly being used since arriving on Monday.

In a telephone news briefing Thursday morning, commanding officer Capt. Patrick Amersbach said three of the beds were occupied. A Navy spokesperson later updated that number to 20, according to multiple news outlets.

The Comfort has been designated for patients who don’t have the virus but need care for other reasons. Amersbach reportedly said his orders are to only take patients who have tested negative for the coronavirus. He said if he was ordered to start accepting them, the ship could be reconfigured to allow that. But there is concern that if there is an outbreak of the virus on the ship, the medical staff could become infected.

US death toll passes 6,000

The number of U.S. deaths from COVID-19 passed 6,000 early Friday morning, an increase of approximately 2,000 in the span of about 48 hours. That's according to numbers from Johns Hopkins University. More than 1/4 of those are in New York City.

The U.S. passed 4,000 early Wednesday morning. Before midnight Wednesday, it passed 5,000. The total reached 6,053 just before 1 a.m. ET Friday.

The U.S. has 245,540 cases as of midnight ET Friday morning and more than 9,100 recoveries.

The worldwide total of confirmed COVID-19 cases is just over 1 million with 53,000 deaths and 211,000 recoveries.

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.

Bank says virus could cost world $4.1 trillion

The Asian Development Bank forecasts that the coronavirus pandemic will cost the world economy as much as $4.1 trillion, or nearly 5 percent of all economic activity.

In an update Friday, the regional lender said growth in developing Asia would likely fall to 2.2 percent in 2020 from 5.2 percent last year. The Manila, Philippines-based bank said that Southeast Asia, a market of more than 600 million that has been rapidly growing, will likely log 1 percent growth this year.

Navy fires captain who sought help for virus-stricken ship

The captain of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier facing a growing outbreak of the coronavirus on his ship was fired Thursday by Navy leaders who said he created a panic by sending his memo pleading for help to too many people.

Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly said the ship's commander, Capt. Brett Crozier, “demonstrated extremely poor judgment” in the middle of a crisis. He said the captain copied too many people on the memo, which was leaked to a California newspaper and quickly spread to many news outlets.

Modly's decision to remove Crozier as ship commander was immediately condemned by members of the House Armed Services Committee, who called it a “destabilizing move” that will “likely put our service members at greater risk and jeopardize our fleet’s readiness."

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