INDIANAPOLIS -- Governor Eric Holcomb and a number of state officials held a Tuesday afternoon news conference to update the coronavirus crisis in Indiana and the state's response to it.
Here are some key takaways from that briefing:
- The state has secured a place, the site of which is not being disclosed, specifically for the homeless population of Marion County who need coronavirus care. Eskenazi health will take the lead in staffing. Plans are to accept first individuals soon.
- 12 Hosiers have now died as a result of the virus.
- Nearly 3,000 people in Indiana have been tested and the results reported to the State Department of Health. About 13% of tests are coming back positive.
- The number of face masks available to hospital workers and first-responders remains a concern and the state is attempting to get more from the federal government.
- A statewide call center to answer questions from business and industry began operations Tuesday and has already received more than 1,000 calls, after initial technical problems.
- State Police Superintendent Doug Carter says Hoosiers are experiencing "tremendous fear and anxiety" related to the pandemic. Carter says a lot of wrong information is going out on social media, including claims that patients over 60-years-old will not receive ventilator treatment in hospitals.
- The Indiana Department of Workforce development received more than 38,000 calls on Monday from Hoosiers who have lost their jobs or have other concerns and questions.
