Some COVID-19 Patients Starting to Recover, According to State Health Commissioner

As coronavirus continues to spread, Indiana is starting to see some of its COVID-19 patients recover, according to State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box.

“Since the numbers are small, I don’t want to give specifics about that information, but we are starting to collect . . . those numbers, specifically discharges from the hospital, admissions to the hospital with the COVID-19 diagnosis,” Box said during a press conference Friday. “So we’re going to have a better view of that, probably, I would say, next week, that you’ll be able to see.”

Box said there are still several patients who are seriously ill, and she warned that the number of positive cases will continue to increase as testing ramps up. “We expect that, so don’t be surprised about that,” she added.

Box reported that the state has started getting its share of masks, gowns, and other protective equipment from the Strategic National Stockpile. She also followed the lead of other states by offering to buy back personal protective equipment from contractors.

Governor Eric Holcomb called on Hoosiers to understand the gravity of the situation and follow the directions of state officials. “I’m proud how strong Indiana is,” Holcomb said during Friday’s press conference. “We are pointed in the right direction. We need everyone to stay focused. The things that you think are little have a huge impact on where we will be 24, 36, 48, 96 hours from now. And so this 15-day period before us is critically important, and we have come a long way in less than a week.”

The governor also commented on how much Indiana has pulled together in recent days and weeks.