The number of Pulaski County residents who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 is now up to 26. Out of over 200 tests taken in the county, almost 13 percent have come back positive, according to Saturday’s report from the Indiana State Department of Health. This comes as neighboring Cass County has seen its number of cases rise to 1,224.
Continue readingStarke County Reports 17th COVID-19 Case
Another Starke County resident has tested positive for COVID-19. A 17th case was reported by the Starke County Health Department Saturday morning.
Continue readingIndiana to Launch Marketplace to Help Small Businesses Find Personal Protective Equipment
As businesses prepare to reopen, Governor Eric Holcomb is promising some help from the state, when it comes to getting personal protective equipment.
Continue readingStarke County Reports Second COVID-19 Death
A second Starke County resident has died from COVID-19. The Starke County Health Department says a man over the age of 60 with preexisting conditions died at a St. Joseph County hospice facility early Friday morning. He had been hospitalized as a COVID-19 patient, according to health officials.
Continue readingGovernor Unveils Five-Stage Reopening Plan, Stores Allowed to Reopen Monday
Indiana’s stay-at-home order will gradually be lifted starting Monday. Stores currently restricted to curbside pickup will be able to open to the public at 50-percent capacity on May 4, with restaurants to follow a week later. But anyone age 65 or older should continue to stay home, if possible.
Continue readingMarshall, Pulaski Counties Report More COVID-19 Cases
Marshall and Pulaski counties are reporting more cases of COVID-19. Marshall County has now had 30 residents test positive with one death, according to Friday’s report from the Indiana State Department of Health. Pulaski County is up to 25 positive cases. Starke County remains at 16 cases and one death.
Continue readingWinamac Joins Pulaski County in Requiring Use of Face Masks in Public
The Town of Winamac has issued its own order requiring the use of face masks in public. After the Pulaski County Commissioners Thursday ordered the use of facial coverings, the town council met to approve a similar measure at the town level.
Continue readingLocal Governments May Keep Tighter Restrictions if State Eases Stay-At-Home Order
Governor Eric Holcomb may be looking to ease his stay-at-home order, but that doesn’t mean local governments can’t keep more restrictions in place. During his COVID-19 briefing Thursday, the governor stressed that local jurisdictions can always be stricter than his state-level measures.
Continue readingNumber of New Unemployment Claims Remains High but Down Significantly from March Peak
Those filing for unemployment benefits continue to get some guidance from the state. More than 57,000 initial unemployment claims were filed in Indiana last week, according to the Department of Workforce Development. Commissioner Fred Payne says that’s significantly lower than the peak in March, but still more than double the pre-COVID-19 peak.
Continue readingPulaski County to Require Use of Face Masks in Public
Pulaski County will require the use of face masks in public starting Friday. During an emergency meeting Thursday, the county commissioners approved an order requiring individuals to cover their nose and mouth when visiting businesses and public buildings. The requirement won’t apply to private homes or outdoors, according to County Attorney Kevin Tankersley.
Continue readingPulaski County Commissioners to Consider Increasing COVID-19 Protections
The Pulaski County Commissioners will discuss the possible increase of protective measures in response to the spread of COVID-19 during an emergency meeting this morning. The county has seen its number of cases spike from one to 23 over the course of a week, while neighboring Cass County now has more than 1,100 cases, following an outbreak at a Logansport meatpacking plant.
Continue readingGovernor Highlights Pulaski County Scrappy Sewers’ Mask-Making Efforts
The efforts of a Pulaski County sewing group are earning praise from Governor Eric Holcomb. The Pulaski County Scrappy Sewers were highlighted during Wednesday’s state COVID-19 briefing.
Continue readingIndiana to Centralize COVID-19 Tracing
Indiana is centralizing the COVID-19 contact tracing process. Up until now, it’s often been up to county health departments to contact those who test positive, ask them about potential close contacts, and then reach out to those people. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box announced Wednesday that the state is contracting with a company called Maximus to launch a statewide call center and notification system.
Continue readingState Working to Maintain Nation’s Food Supply, While Protecting Meatpacking Plant Workers’ Health
Protecting the health of meat processing plant workers without jeopardizing the nation’s food supply chain is a challenge being faced by state officials. President Trump this week ordered meatpacking plants to stay open. At the same time, the Indiana State Department of Health is dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak at the Tyson plant in Logansport.
Continue readingOregon-Davis Adjusts End-of-Year Plans, Postpones Graduation
The Oregon-Davis School Corporation is adjusting its plans for the end of the school year. The final day for new instruction has been moved from May 21 to May 14, according to the Bobcat Blast email newsletter. But teachers will remain on duty through May 21 to help students finish their end-of-year assignments.
Continue readingLt. Gov. Says Agencies Will Continue Advocating for Rural Communities during COVID-19 Recovery
Making sure rural communities can get help recovering from COVID-19’s economic impact will be a big goal of Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch and the agencies she oversees.
Continue readingGovernor Not Offering Hints on Stay-at-Home Order Adjustments until Friday
Governor Eric Holcomb will be adjusting and maybe easing his stay-at-home order Friday, but don’t expect to hear many specifics before then. During his press conference Tuesday, Holcomb said he’ll be working on plans right up until that point.
Continue readingState Department of Health Says Tyson Plant ‘Very Receptive’ to State’s Instructions
Whether a Logansport meatpacking plant is doing enough to protect its workers was one of the issues addressed during state officials’ COVID-19 press conference Tuesday. An outbreak at the Tyson plant has caused the number of cases in Cass County to spike to more than 1,100.
Continue readingAnother 50 COVID-19 Testing Sites to Open in Indiana in Coming Weeks
Another 50 COVID-19 testing sites will soon be coming to Indiana. Indiana State Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver announced Tuesday that the state has reached an agreement with OptumServe Health Services to operate the new sites.
Continue readingStarke County Reports 16th COVID-19 Case
The number of Starke County residents who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 is now up to 16. The Starke County Health Department reported another positive case Tuesday afternoon.
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