Coronavirus: Indiana confirms its first case

Indiana confirmed its first case of cornavirus Friday, promoting Gov. Eric Holcomb to issue a public emergency declaration.

The person is a Marion County resident who recently traveled to Boston, according to the Indiana State Department of Health.

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“With the help of our federal, state and local partners, Indiana is responding to this case as we have planned and prepared for weeks,” Gov. Eric Holcomb said. “The Hoosier who has been diagnosed has taken responsible steps to stay isolated.”

The case is “presumptive positive,” according to the ISDH, meaning that the person tested positive at state labs.

Samples will be sent to the CDC for final confirmation.

The person will be isolated for 14 days.

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They will not be released until the 14 days are up and samples taken on two consecutive days test negative.

The person has been in quarantine since they arrived back in Indianapolis.

The risk to the general public is low, said Indiana State Health Commissioner Kris Box.

The CDC is working contact passengers who were on the same flight from Boston and who had close contact with the person.

“The state health department has been preparing for weeks to ensure that we have the resources and systems in place to limit or prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Indiana,” Dr. Box said. “Given the global spread of this illness, the question was never if Indiana would have a case, but when it would arrive.

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“I want to stress that this is an isolated case, and that this patient and the hospital did everything possible to limit the risk of exposure to other individuals. Because of those steps, the risk of additional exposure and community transmission is low, but we are taking every precaution to prevent new infections related to this patient.”

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