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ISDH confirms coronavirus case in Indiana

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This virus was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via AP)

The first confirmed case of coronavirus in Indiana has been confirmed this morning by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb.

Holcomb has declared a public health emergency in Indiana as a result.

“With the help of our federal, state and local partners, Indiana is responding to this case as we have planned and prepared for weeks,” Holcomb said. “The Hoosier who has been diagnosed has taken responsible steps to stay isolated.”

The public health emergency declaration Gov. Holcomb is issuing today will call on state agencies to continue their diligence and cooperation in responding to COVID-19 and ensures that Indiana can seek funding to control and stop the spread of coronavirus. The declaration will be posted at www.in.gov/gov.

Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box says the patient is an adult male from Marion County who had recently traveled to Boston, and is currently in isolation with no threat of the disease spreading to the public.

“I want to stress that this is an isolated incident at this time,” Box said. “We’re taking every precaution to prevent new infections. With the spread of COVID-19, the question has never been if Indiana would get a case, but when we would see one.”

Officials say they have tested 12 people and are monitoring 35 others in regards to this case.

Governor Eric Holcomb’s office released the following statement:

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today signed an executive order declaring a public health emergency to increase coordination across all levels of government in the state’s response to coronavirus. This is also a step in making Indiana eligible for federal dollars to respond to the outbreak. A copy of the executive order is attached.

“With the help of our federal, state and local partners, Indiana is responding to this case as we have planned and prepared for weeks,” Gov. Holcomb said. “The Hoosier who has been diagnosed has taken responsible steps to stay isolated.”

This morning, Gov. Holcomb and the Indiana State Department of Health confirmed the first case of coronavirus in a Marion County resident with a recent history of travel to a Boston event tied to several cases in other states.

ISDH is working closely with the Marion County Public Health Department, Community Hospital North and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure that any close contacts of the patient are identified and monitored and that all infection control protocols are being followed. State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG, said the adult patient has been in quarantine since arriving back in Indianapolis and that the risk to the general public is low.

To read more about the announcement, click here. To learn more about the actions being taken by the Indiana State Department of Health, click here.

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