One more Indiana resident has died from COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths in the state to 32, state health officials said Sunday.
There were 290 new cases, according to the Indiana State Department of Health. The total number of residents who’ve tested positive is 1,514, state officials said.
The highest number of new cases was reported in Marion County, which had 119. After that it was Lake County with 17 and Johnson County with 15.
About half of those new cases reported in Johnson County — which now has 72 confirmed cases, according to local health officials — were at a senior care facility in Franklin where an outbreak was first reported last week.
Seven additional Otterbein Franklin SeniorLife Community residents tested positive for the virus this weekend, growing to 15 the number of residents in the nursing home that have COVID-19. Eight of those residents remained hospitalized Sunday, with two planning to return to the facility; six were in isolation at the facility; and one returned home, according to an Otterbein news release.
Otterbein officials on Sunday said they had tested 31 residents who either showed symptoms or came into contact with someone who tested positive for the virus. Of those 31 tests, 16 were negative. They were waiting on three additional test results Sunday. They are expected back today.
At least two employees also tested positive for the virus. The outbreak originated with a therapist who was admitted to the hospital and tested positive. A nurse has also contracted the virus, Otterbein officials said.
Otterbein Franklin has more than 500 residents, 165 of whom are in the nursing home where the outbreak has occurred, and about 300 employees.
"In conjunction with the Johnson County and Indiana State Departments of Health, Otterbein has established a “Unit Management Plan” to effectively isolate residents in units aligned to their current condition. The plan establishes a unit dedicated to caring for residents (who) have tested positive for COVID-19," the news release said.
"In addition, with assistance from the (incident management team) in Johnson County, Otterbein was provided additional personal protective equipment on Saturday, as required to operate the unit effectively."
Dr. Kristina Box, state health commissioner, said the peak of coronavirus illnesses is expected in mid- to late-April.
State officials said 9,830 tests have been reported.
Johnson Memorial Hospital on Friday opened a COVID-19 unit. The new unit is part of a $47 million expansion the hospital began construction on more than two years ago. The new emergency and outpatient services department will instead make its debut as an isolation wing for COVID-19 patients.
Local health and public safety officials this weekend said they suspect the number of cases is much higher than what the state is reporting, and urged residents to continue to stay home.
The local death toll has not changed. Three Greenwood residents, all over the age of 75, have died from the virus which, for most, causes mild to moderate symptoms.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
