Full Notification

Video of the briefing available at: https://youtu.be/pL_euAn8wf8

Good Afternoon from Jason Rogers the Delaware County Emergency Management Director.

Today is Tuesday March 17, 2020 this is today's briefing from the Emergency Operations Center,

In coordination with the Delaware County Health Department the following information is being provided.

The EMERGENCY Operations Center has been Closed to All public Access and is currently activated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A briefing was conducted with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security along with the Indiana State department of Health today. I would like to share with you not only information from this briefing but local efforts and plans being conducted.

The number of confirmed cases has risen to 30 and the death toll is now at 2. Indiana has just confirmed its first juvenile case of COVID-19. None of which are in Delaware County

The State of Indiana has requested from the Federal Government an allocation from the Strategic National Stockpile.

The SNS is a disaster supply of medical supplies maintained by the federal government. The Current SNS request is for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to supply the hospitals and healthcare workers who are on the front lines. At this time the request has not been granted or denied.

In efforts to conserve PPE and make every hospital bed available all elective medical procedures should be postponed. Please consult your medical provider if you have something scheduled already.

At this time there are no provisions from the state or federal government to supply citizens PPE such as mask or gloves. This is why social distancing is so important. It is up to you to stop the spread.

We are asking that all nursing home, extended care facilities, and medical treatment facilities stop all visitation immediately. This is to protect the most susceptible population from an outbreak. At this time we are asking only end of life visitation be permitted.

Because of the nationwide seriousness of this outbreak testing for COVID-19 has become difficult.

Meaning the “worried well” are demanding to be tested causing a shortage. Therefor strict guidance from the CDC and State Department of health have been implemented to only test the High Risk and High Probability patients. Insuring healthcare workers and critical patients only are tested. I want to reinforce that there is not medicine or cure for COVID-19. As more testing becomes available plans are in place to be able to accommodate those needs.

If you are “worried well” and concerned you have come in contact with a person you suspect COVID-19 positive you should watch closely for symptoms including cough, fever, and shortness of breath.
You should also self-monitor your temperature twice daily and maintain a record of your readings for 14 days.

IF you show any signs of illness you should immediately self-isolate and use a virtual clinic to see a healthcare provider to get screened.

This is not a situation to call 911 if you have symptoms!

The state of Indiana has suspended specific CDL rules so the supply lines for groceries and supplies will continue in Indiana uninterrupted.

At this time supply lines are intact and we will continue to get supplies delivers. Please stop panic buying.

The Emergency Management Agency is working with the Second Harvest Food bank to ensure there are food supplies available to the public. We anticipate having details for distribution points by Friday’s briefing.

Local Government Emergency plans are being activated and private partners like Second Harvest are key to our success.

Please offer your assistance when and if you are asked to help. Your Family, friends, and neighbors are depending on you.

If you are well, please consider donating blood. We are in severe need of blood donations. Every communities supply in Indiana will be affected. Again if you are not sick please donate blood. You can locate a donation center at REDCROSSBLOOD.ORG

And Finally

There have been rumors of a curfew and travel restrictions being put into place. These rumors are not true (at this time). If the public will follow the CDC guidance and stop all unnecessary travel, visits, meetings and stay home none of that will be necessary.

Some counties are reporting on the travel advisory map. You must contact that county to see what their specific restrictions are because this is not a weather event

The next briefing will be held Wednesday afternoon thank you for your continued cooperation and patience as this massive response is unfolding.

That’s will be all for today.

Thank you

Instructions:

Do NOT call 911 if you have symptoms.
IF you show any signs of illness you should immediately self-isolate and use a virtual clinic to see a healthcare provider to get screened.
Clinic Visits can be accessed at DCEMA.COM at the COVID-19 HUB