March 14th: Local, state coronavirus updates

Bartholomew County COVID-19 Coalition Press Release

The COVID-19 Task Force prioritizes the health and safety of our community, workforce and citizens while also playing an active role in supporting local health officials and government leaders as they work to contain the virus. Through that lens, we will continue to make decisions using the latest science-based information and with careful consideration, understanding that any actions taken impact our entire community.

This recommendation comes from the informed perspective and guidance of not only our local health experts, but those on a national level. Communities are being charged to proactively respond with concerted measures in an effort to best and most effectively protect their residents and preserve medical resources for the greatest need.

As a task force, we are collectively recommending the following actions, effective immediately for our community:

• Non-essential gatherings must be limited to no more than 250 people. This includes any event or gathering of people who are in one room or a single space at the same time, such as cafeterias, churches, stadiums, meeting and conference rooms, auditoriums and the like. This guidance applies to professional, social, community and similar other gatherings. Faith-based communities are recommended to suspend all in-person services and large group gatherings from now through Saturday, April 4.
• Bartholomew County School Corporation will suspend all school-related activities beginning Monday, March 16. Schools will be closed and eLearning days utilized from Monday, March 23 through Friday, April 3.
• The City of Columbus will close the following public facilities: The Commons, Donner Center, Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena, Columbus Gymnastics Center and The Cal Brand Meeting Room within City Hall.

These facilities will close at the end of business today and will follow the school schedule and reopen Monday, April 6.  All other City services and offices will remain open to the public and continue to serve the community. We encourage the public to call or email City staff and departments to conduct business.

• Child care and adult day care facilities should institute social distancing and minimize large gatherings. Temporary suspension of operations should be done in consultation with the Family and Social Services and ISDH in the instance of documented community spread.
• Individuals over 60 years of age or those with a known underlying health issue such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease should limit their public exposure. Whenever possible, friends and family should arrange to provide food and other essential items.
• Those who run senior centers and congregate meal services should consider suspending congregate meals services and arrange for home delivery
• Businesses should consider utilizing telework policies, if available.

It is our intent to continue to provide the latest information throughout this evolving situation. For information on the preventative measures in place by individual entities or for more information, following the below links.

Indiana Department of Health – Latest information from ISDH https://www.in.gov/isdh/28470.htm

Cummins Engine Company – Cummins employees can access company information HERE.

Columbus Regional Health - https://www.crh.org/news

Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation - https://www.bcscschools.org/COVID-19

City of Columbus - https://www.columbus.in.gov/covid-19-information/

Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives - https://resources.acce.org/crisismanagement

CDC – When and How to Wash Your Hands https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html

CDC - El lavado de las manos: Las manos limpias salvan vidas https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/esp/index.html

ISDH Online COVID-19 Case Tracker - https://www.in.gov/isdh/28470.htm

Bartholomew County Sheriff press release

The money Kiosk for inmate commissary funds, which is located in BCJ’s front lobby, is closed until further notice.  Money can still be placed in inmate accounts online at accesscorrections.com or by phone: 866-345-1884.  The company accepts Visa and other charge cards in lieu of cash.  If you have any questions, you may contact the company directly.

Inmates are being screened per state and national procedures.  Separate housing has been made available for new incoming inmates.

Bartholomew County Sheriff Matthew A. Myers has been in contact with state and national officials including Congressman Greg Pence who is in Washington D.C. monitoring the situation and who briefed the Sheriff within the past two hours.

Work Crews have been suspended until further notice.

“Our leadership team has been very proactive in providing a plan that will work for our agency and for citizens of Bartholomew County”, said Sheriff Myers. “The crisis that we are seeing, will not give criminals in Bartholomew County a “pass card”.  “I assure you, we will continue with all Sheriff’s Office and Jail services”, added Sheriff Myers.

“We are evaluating what services require an on scene police presence verses those that can be handled by alternative means such as by phone or online”, said Chief Deputy Major Chris Lane.

Governor's Holcomb's Friday announcement

Under Gov. Holcomb’s direction:

• All state agencies are evaluating rules and regulations that should be suspended or modified to assist Hoosiers during this public emergency.
• Hoosiers who need to renew their Medicaid eligibility will get more time to complete the process. No services will be interrupted.
• Family Social Services Administration (FSSA) has asked federal officials to approve a request to temporarily waive the renewal process for Hoosiers who need SNAP or TANF benefits.
• Hoosiers on Medicaid will not pay co-pays for COVID-19 testing. More information is here.
• Hoosiers on Medicaid can get 90-day refills of medication for chronic conditions.
• State officials are collaborating with the Indiana Department of Education to discuss solutions regarding student assessments and meals for children whose schools have closed. DOE issued this guidance for schools regarding the 20-day waiver of the required 180 instructional days that Gov. Holcomb announced on Thursday.
• FSSA has given daycares specific guidance to protect children in their care. The latest guidance is here.
• Community meals for senior citizens are being converted to home meal deliveries. Local partners, such as Area Agencies on Aging, have been given funding flexibility to cover the added costs of delivering meals. Thousands of meals are being served daily.
• Every community has a child care resource and referral agency to connect parents with local child care options and provide referrals for support. Families can find their local Child Care Resource and Referral by calling 800-299-1627 or by consulting this map.