WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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31 more deaths were added to Indiana’s coronavirus dashboard. 394 new cases were confirmed. Overall deaths are at 661 people. Total cases are at 12,907.
Governor Eric Holcomb announced Tuesday that in spite of the growing numbers, he is working on the early stages of re-opening the state.
Holcomb said in his Tuesday afternoon briefing, “We’re going to be informed by the numbers as they are before us. We’re not going to try to get around the numbers or make any decisions prematurely. This is going to be a safety-first approach.”
Indy Star reports the governor is working directly with businesses to set guidelines for when they do open their doors.
More restrictions will likely be lifted in early May.
President of Indiana University Health Brian Shockney said IU Health is performing plasma research and experimentation during a COVID -19 Press Conference on April 17th.
Shockney said IU hospital has performed over 2 thousand virtual clinic visits and encourages those who may be experiencing symptoms utilize a virtual screening. Schockney said case managers are in direct contact with nursing homes to protect the residents.
Schockney said the Population Health Management program has performed monthly check in’s with all partnering local nursing homes for 2 years. Schockney said there are 2 types of COVID-19 tests, one tests for the virus and the other for antibodies. He said non symptomatic testing research is still being conducted.
Schockney said testing is focused on those who have symptoms. Monroe County Emergency Management Director Allison Morre said the county continues to collect homemade face masks. She said donations are dwindling but the need for masks continues to grow.
The Monroe County Election Board approved 5 polling and voting sites during their April 20th meeting. Election Supervisor Karen Wheeler said all the sites have NOT yet given permission to use their facilities.
Wheeler said fewer locations would cut down on volunteer training and would increase volunteer and employee health safety. She said the county is seeing few volunteers but would be able to run 5 sites. Board Member Carolyn VandeWiele supported utilizing school facilities.
VandeWiele said one letter should be sent to each registered community member including a precinct notice and absentee ballot. Wheeler said the county has equipment to print ballots form 5 polling sites. However, the Election board strongly encourages community members to vote by mail.
Feature Reports:
- WFHB News Director Kade Young talks to Matt Houser, a Research Scientist at Indiana University, who co-led a survey to find out what Hoosiers think about climate change.
- Better Beware, your weekly consumer-watchdog segment hosted by Richard Fish.
