Indiana virus deaths grow to 7, governor schedules address

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana health officials reported one new death from the coronavirus Monday bringing the state’s death toll to seven, as Gov. Eric Holcomb planned a televised address on the pandemic.

The latest Indiana resident to die from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, was an adult over the age of 60 in northeastern Indiana. Allen County’s health department announced his death Sunday, the Indiana State Department of Health said.

The state agency reported 58 new cases of the virus Monday, bringing the number of Indiana’s confirmed cases to 259.

Holcomb’s office said the governor planned a noon EDT Monday televised address from his Statehouse office to “address the state on the latest developments in slowing the spread of COVID-19.”

For most people, the 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.

The vast majority of people recover from the virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild cases recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe ones can take three to six weeks to get better.

The governors of adjacent Illinois, Ohio and Michigan, as well other states, have ordered residents to remain in their homes, except for to perform essential tasks, to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Holcomb’s office did not immediately return messages Monday morning asking whether he was planning to issue a similar order.

On Friday, he delayed Indiana’s May 5 primary election until June 2, but said he would need to see more signs that the virus was spreading statewide before taking action to order residents to stay home.

The governor has ordered all schools to remain closed until at least May 1, banned public gatherings of more than 50 people and closed restaurants for all but pickup and carryout business.