It is difficult to believe, but it was just five months ago (March 12) that Governor Holcomb issued the first of the restrictive orders related to COVID-19 in our state. It was 9 days later that Hancock County experienced the first case of COVID-19. Since that time our county has experienced nearly 700 documented cases of COVID-19, 39 deaths, and tested more than 11,000 individuals. In comparison, more than 11,000 people across the state were tested for the coronavirus just yesterday (877,000 total tested since March) and we have experienced more than 77,000 positive cases and 2,900 deaths statewide.
After peaking at nearly 75,000, the number of new coronavirus cases in the U.S. appears to have plateaued at the level of 55,000 per day as the “hotspot” states of California, Florida, and Texas appear to be ebbing. Worldwide, India and Brazil now experience more new cases than the U.S. and global new cases appear to have stabilized at 280,000 per day.
COVID-19 and the coronavirus that causes it are serious issues, but there are ways to manage the impact they cause on our society, and on us individually. Key among these are the simple public health actions we are each taking by Watching our distance, Wearing our masks, and Washing our hands. To learn more about the current status of the disease and the financial impact it has had on hospitals, including ours, please take 20 minutes and watch the latest community update video: https://vimeo.com/447859631
Have a wonderful weekend!
Steve