COVID-19: The latest from around the state, US

Lilly to launch drive-thru COVID-19 testing for health care workers

Eli Lilly and Co. will begin offering drive-thru testing for COVID-19 on Monday at its Indianapolis headquarters, but the service will be limited for now to physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals.

The drugmaker said Sunday afternoon that the general public will not be able to receive tests at this time, and it did not say whether it might broaden the drive-thru service in the future to include non-health care workers.

The announcement came two days after Lilly said it was exploring setting up a drive-thru testing service for the public to take the crunch off hospitals, which are doing the bulk of the testing.

COVID-19 death toll in state rises to six

The Indiana State Department of Health announced Sunday that two more Hoosiers have died after testing positive for COVID-19, bringing the death toll in the state to six.

Both of the latest victims were adults over 50 with underlying health conditions, the state health department said.

One lived in Marion County, and the other lived in Scott County.

Marion County now has had three deaths. The other COVID-19 victims lived in Johnson County and Howard County.

The state health department said 201 Indiana residents have been diagnosed with COVID-19. All but one are adults.

Community Health to close MedCheck locations, reallocate resources

Community Health Network announced Saturday that it will close its eight central Indiana MedCheck urgent treatment centers, effective Sunday. The Indianapolis-based hospital network said it is doing so to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to reallocate resources to where they are needed most.

Community said it will relocate MedCheck services to nearby primary care offices. It directed patients to call their doctor’s office for care or to call Community’s triage resource center. For most central Indiana residents, that number is 317-621-5500. Anderson residents should call 765-298-4240, and Kokomo residents should call 765-776-3990.

In addition, Community offers virtual care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at ecommunity.com/virtual care.

Indy, Horizon House team to screen, protect homeless from coronavirus

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration plans to distribute 15 hand-washing stations downtown and as part of a larger effort to try to protect the city’s homeless population from contracting and spreading COVID-19.

The city said it is working with Horizon House, which is training its outreach workers to screen homeless people who are living in encampments and other non-shelter locations for COVID-19, in addition to providing them with hygiene kits, food kits, blankets and crisis support.

“In many ways, our community is facing unprecedented challenges that affect every resident in Indianapolis,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “But with circumstances that are continually evolving, we must ensure that we are continually prioritizing our city’s most vulnerable residents.”

The city plans to put handwashing stations in a number of locations, including at the Central Library, at the Cathedral Kitchen parking lot, on Georgia Street outside St. John’s Catholic Church and at University Park.

Beginning today, Horizon House Center will also be providing COVID-19 screenings and providing walk-thru services.

Cummins temporarily shutters Bartholomew County plant

Columbus-based engine maker Cummins Inc. has suspended production at its Walesboro engine plant in Bartholomew County for the next two weeks, the company announced Friday afternoon. Employees will continue to receive full pay during the shutdown, the company said.

Cummins said the production suspension, which took effect Friday, was in response to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ decision to shut down its pickup truck assembly until at least the end of March. Fiat Chrysler is a Cummins customer.

“While the company is not announcing any other production suspensions or plant shutdowns at this time, the company cannot predict if and when further suspensions or shutdowns may arise,” Cummins said in a prepared statement.

The company cited changes in customer demand, shortfalls in supplier deliveries and government regulations or mandates as possible factors that could lead to additional shutdowns.

Cummins also said it was withdrawing its previously issued 2020 financial guidance because of “growing uncertainty about demand for the remainder of 2020.”

When Cummins issued its 2020 guidance Feb. 4, it said it expected its full-year revenue to decline between 8% and 12%. That guidance “did not factor in the effects of the coronavirus pandemic,” the company said.

Cummins Chairman and CEO Tom Linebarger said in a prepared statement that the company is in a strong financial position and has experienced leadership, “and we will successfully navigate through this difficult period.”

KAR suspends auto auctions

KAR Global is suspending its physical automobile auctions across North America for two weeks, according to a disclosure filed Friday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Carmel-based auction company announced it is halting all physical and simulcast-only sales at its 73 ADESA locations in the U.S. and Canada. The company is maintaining “minimal” operations for security purposes and to receive and release vehicles under certain circumstances.

The company’s digital marketplaces will remain operational during that time, with support from a remote workforce.

“We believe this is a temporary safety measure, and that our balance sheet, including our cash position, is strong and we are well positioned to sustain our business and navigate the uncertainty for the foreseeable future,” the filing reads.

Gene Rodriguez, a spokesperson for KAR Global, declined to answer questions about what will happen to employees.