LaPorte County reports its first coronavirus case
State’s total reaches 15; consumers flood stores for supplies, casinos ordered to close
INDIANAPOLIS — Three new cases of coronavirus emerged in Indiana, raising the number in the state to 15, officials said Saturday, as residents in Lake and Porter counties stocked up on food and other supplies at area supermarkets and the Indiana Gaming Commission ordered the state’s casinos to close.
The new COVID-19 cases are residents of Marion, LaPorte and Wells counties, the state Department of Health said.
The other cases are people in Adams, Boone, Hendricks, Howard, Johnson, Noble and St. Joseph counties. All are adults with one exception. There have been no deaths.
According to social media posts, shoppers flooded Meijer in Highland, the area’s Strack’s stores and other food stores when they opened Saturday. Long lines were commonplace at checkouts, but availability of toilet paper, hand sanitizer and basic food products appeared to be in short supply. The water aisle at the Hobart Walmart was cleaned out before 8 a.m. Saturday.
By mid-afternoon Saturday, the Indiana Gaming
Commission website had been updated to show the state’s casinos would close due to the ongoing health event.
“Based on changing circumstances and in the interest of public health, Indiana licensed gaming and racing operations will close for at least 14 days beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, March 16, 2020. The Indiana Gaming and Horse Racing Commissions will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as appropriate, the statement said.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough.
For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. People with mild illness recover in about two weeks.
Gov. Eric Holcomb has declined to order all schools to close to reduce spread of the virus, unlike governors in other states.
He said it should be a local decision.
Indiana schools can close for up to 20 days without having to make up the lost classroom time.