First COVID-19 death in Putnam County confirmed

Putnam County Health Department (PCHD) on Wednesday confirmed the first death related to coronavirus (COVID-19) of a Putnam County resident.

The adult from Putnam County passed away at an outlying facility on Wednesday morning. The person, who was over age 60, had been hospitalized as COVID-19 patient and also suffered from underlying medical conditions. No further information will be released about the patient or the case.

“It is with a sad heart as the County Health Officer to share the devastating news of the first COVID-19 related death in our county,” Health Officer Dr. Robert Heavin said.

“Please continue to pray for this family and for our community during this very difficult time.”

As of Thursday, Putnam is one of 10 counties with a COVID-19-related death, along with Marion (six deaths), Johnson (three) and one each in Allen, Delaware, Franklin, Hancock, Howard, Jasper and Scott counties.

Across the state, a total of 17 Hoosiers had died in the pandemic.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) had released its latest numbers on the COVID-19 pandemic, confirming the second case of COVID-19 in the county.

While information is being tracked based on a patient’s county of residence — not the location of diagnosis or death — state and local health authorities are taking steps to protect the privacy of individual patients.

Heavin emphasized the importance of following the orders put in place by the governor.

“Our goals are to minimize additional deaths and minimize contacts by following the social distancing guidelines in Governor Eric Holcomb’s Executive Order 20-08. As a community, we need to protect one another and continue to shelter in place and stay home. Remember, hand washing is the first line of defense in prevention, along with sanitizing surfaces and social distancing (stay at least 6 feet away from others).

“I want to stress the importance of following the Executive Order and shelter in place until April 7,” he added.

With the ongoing spread of the disease as well as an increase in testing, the state has seen an explosion in new cases in recent days.

In total, the ISDH reported 115 new positive cases on Tuesday and 168 new cases on Wednesday. These number reflected testing through ISDH, the CDC and private laboratories.

The total stood at 645 Hoosiers who had been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus as of the end of the day on Wednesday.

A total of 4,651 tests have been reported to the state. The number of tests is provisional and reflects only those reported to ISDH. Numbers should not be characterized as a comprehensive total.

Marion County had 293 total cases as of the end of the day Wednesday, following by Hamilton with 40, Johnson with 36 and Lake with 31.

In adjacent counties, Hendricks County has had a total of 21 positive cases, with seven in Morgan, four in Owen and two in Montgomery.

Clay and Parke counties have thus far had no positive tests.

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) will provide updates as new information becomes available. Visit the Putnam County Health Department website at www.putnamhealthindiana.org for more information and the website links to ISDH and CDC on COVID-19 in Indiana.