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Indiana coronavirus updates for Sunday, March 22, 2020

The Department of Health announced the first Allen County death from COVID-19 Sunday, making it the state's 7th death.

INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR/TEGNA/AP) - The new coronavirus pandemic has infected more than 307,100 people and killed more than 13,000, including four confirmed deaths in Indiana. The COVID-19 illness causes mild or moderate symptoms in most people, but severe symptoms are more likely in the elderly or those with existing health problems. More than 92,300 people have recovered so far, mostly in China.

RELATED: Facts Not Fear | What you need to know about the COVID-19 outbreak

Allen County reports first death related to COVID-19, 7th death in the state

The Department of Health announced the first Allen County death from COVID-19 Sunday, making it the state's 7th death.

The Allen County resident was an older adult who had been hospitalized as a COVID-19 patient and also had a history of chronic health issues, according to the health department.

“Our hearts go out to the family who lost their loved one today as a result of COVID-19,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Deborah McMahan. “We continue to ask for the community’s help in adhering to guidance that will slow the spread of this virus so our hospitals can continue to provide their best care to patients suffering from COVID-19 as well as other serious conditions.”

No further information will be released about the patient or the case.

Canada won't send team to Tokyo Olympics unless games postponed

The Canadian Olympic Committee says it will not send a team to Tokyo Olympics this summer unless the games are postponed by one year.

The Canadian Olympic and Paralympic committees said in a statement Sunday that they're refusing to send athletes to Japan if the games set to start in late July aren't suspended.


That makes them the first country to threaten such a move in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. The committees' statement saying they're was willing to help the IOC search for alternatives, but that it would not be safe for athletes to compete in Tokyo in July.

The move came on the heels of an IOC announcement that it would take up to four weeks to consider its options. That includes postponing the games, but the committee doesn't know what the new date would be.

Japan prime minister: Delay an option if Olympics can't be held fully

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says a postponement of the Tokyo Olympics would be unavoidable if the games cannot be held in a complete way because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Abe was commenting on the International Olympic Committee's plan to examine the situation over the next few weeks and make a decision, which could include an postponement option.

Abe, speaking at a parliamentary session, ruled out a possibility of a cancellation.


Allison Transmission confirms employee presumed to have COVID-19

Allison Transmission sent a notification to employees Sunday confirming that an employee who works in the main cases area of Plant 6 near bay location R-81 has been presumed to have the COVID-19 virus by healthcare professionals.

The company says it is waiting on official test results, which could take will take some time to be returned.

Currently, no other employees have been identified as having close contact with the presumed positive employee, so no other employees have been asked to self-quarantine, according to Allison Transmission.

"Following the protocols outlined by the CDC, extensive cleaning and sanitation of the job area, break area, restrooms and time clocks and will be completed yet today," the company said in a statement to employees.

Allison Transmission says the employee has not been on site since Tuesday, March 17.

Senate doesn't advance COVID-19 rescue package

The Senate has refused to advance the coronavirus rescue package in a procedural vote with Democrats, rejecting a draft from Republicans and pushing for more aid for workers. Negotiations are expected to continue into the evening Sunday.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has urged senators to “signal to the public that we're ready to get this job done.” He wants passage by Monday. But Democrats have resisted, arguing the nearly $1.4 trillion measure needs to bolster aid and put limits on how businesses can use the emergency dollars.

More voting is possible.

Trump activates emergency resources for Washington, California, New York

President Donald Trump says he’s ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ship mobile hospital centers to the hard-hit states of Washington, California and New York amid the coronavirus pandemic. For New York, that would mean another 1,000 hospital beds.

Trump is also revealing for the first time the number of respirators and other personal protective equipment sent to the hard-hit states by the federal government. It comes as state and local leaders have appealed on the federal government to provide far more, and as Trump has held off on using his full authorities under the Defense Production Act to marshal the private sector’s capabilities.

White House coronavirus task force gives update on US response

Eli Lilly announces drive-thru testing for Indianapolis health care workers

Eli Lilly announced plans to offer drive-thru coronavirus testing for Indianapolis health care workers starting Monday.

This is only for health care workers with a physician's order to get the testing.

The test will be free of charge.


State health department announces 2 more Indiana deaths, bringing total to 6

The Indiana State Department of Health announced that two more Hoosiers have died after testing positive for COVID-19, bringing the number of Indiana deaths related to the novel coronavirus to six.

The health department says the patients were adult residents of Scott and Marion counties. Both were over age 50 and had underlying medical conditions. No additional information about the patients will be released due to privacy laws.

As of today, 201 Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19. All but one are adults.

Hancock Health confirms Hancock County's first two cases of COVID-19

Hancock Health and the Hancock County Health Department have confirmed the county's first two positive test results for COVID-19.

The patients are both Hancock County residents, according to the health department. Both patients are currently at their respective homes self-quarantining.

Hancock County says they are waiting on results from at least 20 more tests, so they anticipate additional positive COVID-19 patients may be confirmed in the next days and weeks.

IOC holding 4 weeks of talks on whether to postpone Tokyo Olympics

The International Olympic Committee will look at postponing the Tokyo Olympics during four weeks of talks amid mounting criticism by athletes and sports officials during the coronavirus pandemic.

Consultation with Japanese public authorities and global sports officials will deal with “scenario planning” for the July 24-Aug. 9 games, the International Olympic Committee said.

The change in strategy followed IOC president Thomas Bach leading a conference call with executive board members.

Senator Rand Paul tests positive for COVID-19

In a tweet, Sen. Paul's office announced that he is "feeling fine and is in quarantine. He is asymptomatic and was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events." Sen. Rand Paul's office says he is not aware of being in contact with anyone who tested positive for the virus. He is expected to be back in the Senate after the quarantine period is over.

Sen. Paul's Senate staff began working remotely ten days ago and say "virtually no staff has had contact with Senator Rand Paul."


As NBC reports, Paul is the first senator known to have tested positive for the new coronavirus.

Scott County confirms 5th Indiana death from COVID-19

The Scott County health department has confirmed a death from the novel coronavirus - Indiana's 5th.

The patient has not been identified.

UPDATE: Indiana reporting 201 COVID-19 cases, 5 deaths

Indiana is now reporting 201 COVID-19 positive cases, according to the Indiana State Department of Health on Sunday morning.

The website also lists 1494 total tests with results returned.

The new cases involve residents of Bartholomew (4), Boone (1), Delaware (1), Dubois (1), Floyd (1), Franklin (2), Grant (1), Hamilton (8), Hancock (2), Hendricks (2), Howard (1), Johnson (5), Lake (3), Madison (1), Marion (35), Monroe (1) Morgan (1), Putnam (1), Ripley (1), St. Joseph (2), Scott (1) and Tipton (1) counties.

The list of counties with cases is included in the ISDH COVID-19 dashboard at https://www.in.gov/coronavirus/, and is updated daily at 10 a.m. Cases are listed by county of residence.

Nashville issues stay-home order

Nashville Mayor John Cooper has issued a stay-at-home order as cities across the U.S. work to battle the coronavirus pandemic and contain the spread. Sunday Mayor Cooper tweeted, "I've announced a 14-day Safer at Home Order. I'm asking you to please stay in your home, except to go out for essential needs."

As NBC reports, around 80 milliion Americans have been asked to stay out of public spaces and mind social distancing guidelines. This new order by the Mayor of Nashville will add to the growing list of American cities, including Washington, D.C., being asked to abide by stronger social distancing guidelines.


As Tennessee has experienced more confirmed cases of the virus, cities like Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga have limited restaurants to take-out orders, drive-thru service, curbside pickup, and delivery service. Most have ordered gyms to close.

AT&T waiving overage fees during pandemic

AT&T announced a nationwide effort to help customers during the COVID-19 pandemic by waiving domestic wireless voice and data overage fees.

The waiver will date back to March 13, 2020.

The company is taking additional action in response to FCC Chairman Pai’s “Keep Americans Connected Pledge.”

AT&T previously announced they would not cut off wireless service, home phone or broadband residential or small business service for inability to pay due to disruptions caused by the pandemic.

Spain records 3,600 coronavirus cases overnight

Health authorities in Spain say confirmed coronavirus infections have risen by over 3,600 in one day.

The jump in cases from Saturday to Sunday is down from nearly 5,000 the day before.

Spain is Europe’s hardest-hit country behind Italy and has 28,572 infections and 1,720 deaths.

Spain is completing its first week of lockdown measures to keep people at home. Non-essential stores have been closed.

UK: No visits to Mom on Mother's Day

Sunday is Mother’s Day in Britain, and the government has a stark message for millions of citizens: A visit to your mother could be life-threatening.

In a message to the nation, Prime Minister Boris Johnson implored Britons to forego family visits and Sunday lunches. He said “we cannot disguise or sugar coat the threat” that “if your mother is elderly or vulnerable, then I am afraid all the statistics show that she is much more likely to die from coronavirus.”

On Friday, Johnson said that he hoped to see his 77-year-old mother on Mother’s Day. His office later said that he would speak to her on Skype.


The U.K. government is scrambling to toughen its response to the coronavirus outbreak amid criticism it did not act quickly enough to close schools, pubs and restaurants.

Britain has 5,018 confirmed cases of the virus, including 233 deaths. The government says Britain will be facing a crisis on the scale of Italy’s in two weeks if people do not heed instructions to stay home and avoid contact with others.

Russia sending medical aid to Italy

Nine hulking Il-76 cargo planes are being loaded at the Chkalovsky military airport in Moscow as Russia prepares to send medical personnel and supplies to Italy to help the country's efforts against the coronavirus.

The mission is to begin Sunday, one day after Russian President Vladimir Putin offered the aid in a telephone conversation with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, whose country has confirmed more than 53,000 coronavirus cases and over 4,800 deaths.

The mission will include eight mobile medical teams along with medical equipment and aerosol disinfection trucks.

Japan urges against nonessential travel to US

Japan has issued a travel warning for its nationals, urging not to make unessential trips to the United States because of the rapidly expanding coronavirus outbreak in that country, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Japan has taken similar steps to most European countries and banned trips to China, South Korea as well as Iceland, San Marino and parts of Italy, Switzerland and Spain.

RELATED: US-Canada border to close late Friday to non-essential trips

As of Saturday, the U.S. had 15,219 confirmed cases and 201 deaths, the ministry said, citing the U.S. Center for Disease Control.

Indiana interactive COVID-19 map

A Delaware County woman died Saturday, according to county and state officials.

The foreign ministry also said the decision came after the U.S. raised travel caution to Japan and four countries to level three, urging Americans not to make nonessential trips to Japan and requiring a 14-day self-imposed quarantine for Japanese nationals entering the U.S.

Iran leader refuses US help, citing virus conspiracy theory

Iran's supreme leader is refusing U.S. assistance to fight the new coronavirus, citing an unfounded conspiracy theory that the virus could be man-made by America. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made the comments in a speech in Tehran broadcast live Sunday across Iran marking Nowruz, the Persian New Year.

He had called off his usual speech at Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad over the virus outbreak. He relied on the conspiracy theory to refuse assistance.

Singapore to close borders after first 2 deaths

Singapore says it will fully shut its borders starting Tuesday after recording its first two deaths.

The city-state has banned visitors from several countries and requires all short-term visitors to observe a 14-day home quarantine. But the government says all short-term visitors beginning Tuesday will be barred from entering or transiting through the country.

It said in a statement Sunday that this will reduce the risk of imported cases and free up resources to focus on its citizens. It said Singapore citizens, permanent residents and foreigners with a long-term work pass can return but must undergo a 14-day self-quarantine.

The city-state of nearly 6 million people has recorded 432 cases so far. On Saturday, it reported that a 75-year-old Singaporean woman and an Indonesian visitor, 64, have succumbed to the virus.

Colombia reports its first coronavirus death

Colombia is reporting its first death from the new coronavirus.

Officials said Saturday that he was a 58-year-old taxi driver who had driven tourists from Italy, which is one the countries worst hit by the virus.

Colombia’s Ministry of Health says the man had previous health issues, including untreated diabetes.

President Iván Duque has prohibited all non-resident foreigners from entering the country and has decreed a mandatory quarantine starting Tuesday.

Colombia has confirmed 210 cases of the coronavirus.

Sri Lanka police detain 291 violators of curfew

Sri Lanka police say they have detained 291 people for breaching a three-day curfew which has been imposed as part of strict measures designed to contain the spreading of the coronavirus in the Indian Ocean island nation.

Police said Sunday the detentions were made by police during patrols to ensure that people stay in their homes. The curfew was imposed on Friday and will end on Tuesday.

Hawaii to quarantine all arrivals to the state for 14 days

Hawaii's governor has instituted a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine starting Thursday of all people traveling to the state as part of efforts to fight the spread of coronavirus.

The order applies to returning residents as well as visitors. It applies to all arrivals at Hawaii airports from the continental U.S. and international destinations and extends to other private and commercial aircraft.

“With the majority of Hawaiʻi’s COVID-19 cases linked to travel, it is critical that we further mitigate the spread of the virus by both residents and visitors who are coming from out-of-state,” Gov. David Ige said in a statement. “This plan was developed in collaboration with our county mayors and Hawaiʻi’s business, community and visitor industry leaders.”


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