Keeping Hoosiers Safe: Coronavirus

Governor Holcomb continues to take action to lead our state during this challenging time – both to help limit the spread of the virus, and to assist Hoosiers who are facing new difficulties. 

Today, he signed an executive order directing Hoosiers to hunker down at home for the next two weeks, as well as extending Indiana's public health emergency for another 30 days. Additionally, he shared news that President Trump has officially approved his request for a major disaster declaration for all of Indiana's 92 counties. 

Here are a few more of this week’s actions:

• Schools:
  • Schools that reached 160 instruction days will be considered to have completed a full academic year.
  • Schools short of 160 instruction days are required to provide at least 20 additional days of remote learning between now and the end of the academic year.
• Graduating Seniors:
  • All high school seniors on track to graduate before schools were closed on March 19 will be provided with the flexibility they need to earn an Indiana diploma.
• Preparing for COVID-19 Surge:
  • Removing regulatory barriers to allow for better preparation for a surge in positive COVID-19 cases.
  • Clarifies elective, non-urgent surgical procedures.
  • Gives the State Health Commissioner the authority to open temporary hospitals, if needed.
• Working to Double ICU Bed Space and Ventilators:
  • Hospitals have a baseline of 1,432 ICU beds. Today, the capacity has increased to 1,940 (a 35% increase), with more coming online daily. Goal is to double ICU space.
  • The baseline number of ventilators is 1,777 with the goal to double that as well.
  • Hospitals are opening more space by ending elective procedures, consolidating operations between hospitals, reopening recently-closed buildings and reusing space within each unit.
• Allowing More Medical Professionals to Step Forward:
  • Many medical professionals who do not currently hold an active license in Indiana may join the fight supporting our frontline medical staff, including:
    • Medical professionals who retired or became inactive in the last five years
    • Medical professionals who hold licenses in other states
    • Medical professionals who held licenses in other states and retired or became inactive in the last five years
    • Certain medical students and graduates
  • As of earlier this week, more than 11,000 Hoosiers volunteers had stepped forward.

Feeling Called To Help Your Indiana Republican Team?

This week, your Indiana Republican Party hosted a virtual phone bank -- and it was a success! Volunteers from across the state reached out to Hoosier voters while still staying socially distant. 

Making voter calls is a great way to pass time, and support Governor Holcomb and your Republican team, all while hunkering down at home. 

If you're feeling called to help while staying at home, sign up here!

--> Click here to sign up for our virtual phone bank <--