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Live updates: Indiana reports 2nd coronavirus death

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WISHTV.com will be providing live updates in this story throughout the day as more local announcements related to COVID-19 are made.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indiana State Department of Health has announced the state’s second death from coronavirus.

ISDH says the patient was an adult over 60 from Johnson County. Privacy laws prevent further information from being released.

Indiana’s first coronavirus-related death was a woman from Indianapolis’ east side. Roberta Shelton had been at Community East Hospital since last week. News 8’s Richard Essex reports.

On Monday, it was announced that an adult over 60 from Marion County died from the virus.

A total of six new positive cases were announced, bringing Indiana’s total to 30. A total of 159 patients have been tested, up from 139 as of Monday.

The new cases are in Lake, Franklin and Marion counties. Each of those counties had two positive tests on Monday.

County-by-county breakdown of positive cases:

  • Adams – 1
  • Bartholomew – 1
  • Boone – 1
  • Floyd – 1
  • Franklin – 2
  • Hamilton – 1
  • Hendricks – 3
  • Howard – 2
  • Johnson – 3
  • Lake – 2
  • LaPorte – 1
  • Marion – 9
  • Noble – 1
  • St. Joseph – 1
  • Wells – 1

UPDATE 9:15 p.m.

Target says its stores will close at 9 p.m. daily to help replenish shelves and clean. Also, the first hour of shopping each Wednesday will be reserved for “vulnerable guests, including the elderly and those with underlying health concerns.”

UPDATE 8:29 p.m.

The coronavirus just took away what might be Craig Wyszomirski’s last season of hockey. A final chapter that had no ending until an unlikely hero decided to write her own. And what happened next was the highlight of a lifetime. News 8’s Charlie Clifford reports.

UPDATE 7:05 p.m.

“I had my backup plans for literally anything else. … I thought of everything other than pandemic.” News 8’s Sierra Hignite talks to a couple who had to cancel their Friday wedding amid restrictions to slow the spread of coronavirus in central Indiana.

UPDATE 7 p.m.

Hamilton County Clerk Kathy Williams, in a tweet, encourages voters file for absentee ballots by April 23 in advance of Indiana’s May 5 primary election.

UPDATE 6:55 p.m.

The U.S. Census Bureau effort called Count Me INdy has postponed community outreach days at libraries, community centers and organizations across Marion County until further notice.

UPDATE 6:53 p.m.

All IU Auditorium ticketed events scheduled through May 3 have been postponed. They include “Beautiful–The Carole King Musical” and the visit from David Sedaris.

UPDATE 6:42 p.m.

A leader of Versiti Blood Center of Indiana says it needs at least 560 donors a day: “We’re going to start seeing this real drop and if we don’t have donors start coming in now, we’re going to have a critical shortage.” News 8’s Travis Robinson reports.

UPDATE 6:39 p.m.

Todd Fuqua is one of about 7,000 Hoosiers living with HIV in central Indiana. ​He and his family take daily precautions against the coronavirus. News 8’s David Williams reports.

UPDATE 6:19 p.m.

Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana Inc. was challenged to raise funds in the fight against hunger in central Indiana. It raised $200,000, causing Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay to give an additional $1 million. News 8’s Randall Newsome reports.

UPDATE 5:41 p.m.

An Indiana economist tells “Inside INdiana Business,” a News 8 news-gathering partner, that the impact of the coronavirus pandemic could become worse the longer it continues. Matt Will, a professor of finance at the University of Indianapolis, says, “This impact is going to stretch through the economy and in the short-term, it’s going to be a major hit; we’ll probably see a drop in GDP the first quarter. Will it stretch into the second? It depends on how long this dilemma continues.” Read the entire story.

UPDATE 5:12 p.m.

The Indiana University Student Government Congress on Tuesday committed $100,000 from its Rainy-Day Fund to assist students with emergency financial need after the university announced the cancellation of face-to-face classes for the semester and the closure of most campus dormitories.

UPDATE 5:06 p.m.

All Plainfield town facilities are closed and non-essential staff will be granted paid time-off for the next two weeks at the direction of Robin Brandgard, the Town Council president.

UPDATES 4:55 p.m.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb says he is activating the National Guard to assist as needed with the virus response.

The Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield has suspended its operations.

UPDATE 4:05 p.m.

Events at the Butler Arts and Events Center are cancelled through May 11.

UPDATE 3:32 p.m.

Purdue University will cancel commencement ceremonies in May, bowing to health concerns and calls for social distancing connected to the coronavirus.

President Mitch Daniels made the announcement in a letter to graduating students, “I write with news that I’m sure you all were expecting. That makes it no easier for me to deliver or for you to receive.”

He also said, “We will provide an opportunity, if you so choose, for you to take part in a future traditional ceremony, and I promise you we are hard at work to create a special, memorable and fun virtual experience for you and your families as an option for this May.”

Butler and Indiana State universities also have announced they will not have commencement ceremonies.

Ball State and Indiana universities continue to hope to hold commencement ceremonies in May.

UPDATE 3:29 p.m.

Indiana Repertory Theatre has close to the public for the rest of the 2019-2020 season. Ticket holders can access a taped performance of “Murder on the Orient Express.”

UPDATE 3:14 p.m.

DePauw University in Greencastle says it has distributed $70,000 in student emergency funds for travel, technology and other needs — with an additional $116,000 on the way. People can contribute to the fund online.

UPDATE 3:08 p.m.

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra says it is suspending all concerts and events until late May.

UPDATES 2:56 p.m.

Southport Police Department has created the Senior Assistance Service. A voice-mail allows callers to leave their information: name, phone number and help needed. Phone number is 463-224-0183.

The National Weather Service’s Indiana offices have canceled the tornado drill test on Wednesday due to numerous reasons related to the COVID-19 virus and sheltering actions being taken by the public. “We do not want to add an extra layer of anxiety to the ongoing situation.”

All Macy’s stores will be closed by the end of the business day Tuesday.

Speedway Town Hall will be closed to walk-in customers beginning Wednesday and until further notice. Town employees will continue to work and most transactions can be done online or arranged by phone or email. When necessary, in-person meetings can be scheduled.

UPDATE 2:39 p.m.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett says the city is creating “carry-out parking only” signage for restaurants. Restaurants can get two signs to replace parking meters in front of their business by sending info to carryoutparking@indy.gov.

Requested info:

  • Business name
  • Owner name
  • Contact information
  • Parking zone
  • Restaurant location

UPDATE 12:50 p.m.

Indianapolis Public Schools has canceled the Agenda Review Session for March 17. A Board Action Session for March 19 is now closed to the public. Public comment can be made online here. The meeting will be streamed by WFYI.

UPDATE 12:45 p.m.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is closed until further notice.

UPDATE 10:02 a.m.

Indiana Catholic bishops have suspended Sunday and weekday masses.

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis sent this statement:

In light of new information and recommendations from health officials concerning the danger of the COVID-19 pandemic and the urgency to stem the spread of the virus, the five Catholic bishops of Indiana have suspended effective March 18 and until further notice all public Sunday and weekday Masses throughout the Province of Indianapolis, which is comprised of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and the Dioceses of Gary, Evansville, Fort Wayne-South Bend, and Lafayette.

The five Catholic bishops of Indiana

Timeline of coronavirus in Indiana

Coronavirus links