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HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE
JUST IN: Nursing Home Deaths Soar Past 3,600 In Alarming Surge
Nursing Home Deaths Soar Past 3,600 In Alarming Surge
More than 3,600 deaths nationwide have been linked to coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, an alarming rise in just the past two weeks, according to the latest count by The Associated Press.
Because the federal government has not been releasing a count of its own, the AP has kept its own running tally based on media reports and state health departments. The latest count of at least 3,621 deaths is up from about 450 deaths just 10 days ago and represents at least 16 percent of all deaths from COVID-19.
But the true toll among the 1 million mostly frail and elderly people who live in such facilities is likely much higher, experts say, because most state counts don’t include those who died without ever being tested for COVID-19.
In addition to an Indiana outbreak at a nursing home in Anderson that has killed 24 and infected 16, outbreaks in just the past few weeks have included one at a nursing home in suburban Richmond, Virginia, that has killed 42 and infected more than 100, and one at a veteran’s home in Holyoke, Mass., that has killed 38, infected 88 and prompted a federal investigation. This comes weeks after an outbreak at a nursing home in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland that has so far claimed 43 lives.
And those are just the outbreaks we know about. Most states provide only total numbers of nursing home deaths and don’t give details of specific outbreaks. Notable among them is the nation’s leader, New York, which accounts for 1,880 nursing home deaths out of about 96,000 total residents but has so far declined to detail specific outbreaks, citing privacy concerns.
Experts say nursing home deaths may keep climbing because of chronic staffing shortages that have been made worse by the coronavirus crisis, a shortage of protective supplies and a continued lack of available testing.
And the deaths have skyrocketed despite steps taken by the federal government in mid-March to bar visitors, cease all group activities, and require that every worker be screened for fever or respiratory symptoms at every shift.
But an AP report earlier this month found that infections were continuing to find their way into nursing homes because such screenings didn’t catch people who were infected but asymptomatic. Several large outbreaks were blamed on such spreaders, including infected health workers who worked at several different nursing home facilities.
This past week, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that regulates nursing homes issued recommendations urging nursing homes to use separate staffing teams for residents, and to designate separate facilities within nursing homes to keep COVID-19 positive residents away from those who have tested negative.
Dr. Deborah Birx, who leads the White House coronavirus response, suggested this past week that as more COVID-19 tests become available, nursing homes should be a top priority.
“We need to really ensure that nursing homes have sentinel surveillance. And what do I mean by that? That we’re actively testing in nursing homes, both the residents and the workers, at all times,†Birx said.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES 7 NEW COVID-19 DEATHS, UPDATES STATEWIDE CASE COUNT
The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today announced that 331 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 8,236 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total.
A total of 350 Hoosiers have died to date. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days.
To date, 44,539 tests have been reported to ISDH, up from 42,489 on Sunday.
Marion County had the most new cases, at 129. Other counties with more than 10 new cases were Hamilton (11), Hendricks (16), Johnson (11) and Lake (54). The Lake County totals include results from East Chicago and Gary, which have their own health departments.
The complete list of counties with cases is included in the ISDH COVID-19 dashboard at coronavirus.in.gov. Cases are listed by county of residence. Private lab reporting may be delayed and will be reflected in the map and count when results are received at ISDH. The dashboard will be updated at noon each day.
The dashboard also has been updated to include new demographic breakdowns by race and ethnicity, ventilator and intensive care bed capacity and to make corrections based on updated information provided to ISDH.
“IS IT TRUE” APRIL 13, 2020
We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUEâ€Â will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way?
IS IT TRUE that the infection and death tolls from the coronavirus are continuing to increase with over a half-million Americans having an official diagnosis with the COVID-19 virus and over 20,000 have passed away?…it does appear as a nation that we are at the peak of the curves for both COVOD-19 infection and death?…nationally we should start seeing lower infection and death rates over the next 5 to 7 weeks and if these projections turn out to be correct our death rates from COVID-19 virus should reach zero sometime in June?
IS IT TRUE we are now told that the Coronovirus will hit its peak in Indiana between April 16 and 25, 2020?….that we need to brace ourselves for an influx of COVID—19 confirmed cases/deaths from now until then?
IS IT TRUE while these curves are shaped like they were expected to be for a virus spreading the actual numbers are most likely way low because of the relatively low number of tests that have been run? …that the population of the United States is around 327 million and around 2 million people have been tested so far?…this virus also has the property of infecting many people who never show symptoms and thus are not counted in the infected totals?
IS IT TRUE that the death counts are something that there is a decent count on for those who have sought medical care but are missing those who have not sought medical care making them lower than reality?…this is something that will be realized and studied for years?
IS IT TRUEÂ among some deaths that are not all being counted are elderly people living in nursing homes?…from Washington State where this whole thing really got going in the United States to other towns in America, nursing homes have been hit very hard by the coronavirus and many of these are not included in the count?
IS IT TRUE America’s nursing homes have seemly become a hot spot for people to work and at least one workforce has walked off of the job?…last Friday in Riverside, California the entire staff of a rest home refused to report to work because of the high number of deaths and the high probability of the COVID-19 infection? Â …fortunately for the elderly, they were able to be transported to other facilities?
IS IT TRUE that so far the most effective leader and media informing the masses about the current status of the COVID-19 virus is the CEO of the Deaconess Health System and Channel 14 News?…we are completely surprised that the CEO at the other Evansville Hospital has been missing in action? …this virus may be a thing of the past by mid-summer but the failure of leadership won’t be forgotten?
IS IT TRUE that across the country, Mayors, County officials and Governors are holding daily news conferences or teleconferences to explain the current situation to their constituents?…for some reason Evansville is seemly one of those places where such daily communications from our locally elected officials to calm the masses are missing?
IS IT TRUEÂ we have a “Haircut Hero” and his name is Lloyd Winnecke? Â …the masses are gravitating to a new type of hero during times like these? Â …he is called the “FOOD TRUCK HERO” and his name is Ben Shoulders?
IS IT TRUE that there are also those who never seek medical care and just die at home?…last week a young person was found dead in her bed after not reporting to work?…when her family went to check on her she was dead?…we wonder how this death will be classified?…was it Coronavirus, suicide or something else?…one thing is for certain and that is those who are not diagnosed with Coronavirus are not counted and the odds are that this is a very high number that we shall never ever know?
IS IT TRUE we recently called out the Vanderburgh County Commissioners for not closing the Thunderbolt golf course? ….we were told that the County Commissioners own the land of the Thunderbolt golf course however they lease the land to the Evansville Airport Authority? Â …Thunderbolt golf course is controlled by the Evansville Airport Authority and in return, they lease it out to a third party?
IS IT TRUEÂ serious leaders endear them to their constituents by breaking the monotony of the boring days of being quarantined with accurate and current updates of the status of the COVID-19 virus?
ISÂ IT TRUEÂ as of last week our current “CCO MOLE” membership count is now a 168 strong? Â …that seven (7) “CCO MOLES” passed away during the last several years and we really miss them?
IS IT TRUE when the people fear the Government we have Tyranny! Â When the Government fears the people we have Liberty?
IS IT TRUE our “READERS POLLS†are non-scientific but trendy?
Today’s “Readers Poll†question is: Would you like to know if the City and County have any contingency plans to stifle any civil unrest caused by the economic hardship of the COVID-19 virus?
Please take time and read our articles entitled “STATEHOUSE FILES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, “READERS POLLâ€, BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBSâ€, EDUCATION, OBITUARIES and “LOCAL SPORTSâ€.
You now are able to subscribe to get the CCO daily or If you would like to advertise on the CCO please contact us at City-County Observer@live.com
FOOTNOTE: City-County Observer Comment Policy. Be kind to people. No personal attacks or harassment will not be tolerated and shall be removed from our site.
We understand that sometimes people don’t always agree and discussions may become a little heated.  The use of offensive language, insults against commenters will not be tolerated and will be removed from our site.
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A Total OIf 350 Hoosiers Have Died To Date
The Indiana State Department of Health through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 8,236 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total.
A total of 350 Hoosiers have died to date. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days.
To date, 44,539 tests have been reported to ISDH, up from 42,489 on Sunday.
Marion County had the newest cases, at 129. Other counties with more than 10 new cases were Hamilton (11), Hendricks (16), Johnson (11) and Lake (54). The Lake County totals include results from East Chicago and Gary, which have their own health departments.
The complete list of counties with cases is included in the ISDH COVID-19 dashboard at coronavirus.in.gov. Cases are listed by the county of residence. Private lab reporting may be delayed and will be reflected in the map and count when results are received at ISDH. The dashboard will be updated at noon each day.
The dashboard also has been updated to include new demographic breakdowns by race and ethnicity, ventilator and intensive care bed capacity and to make corrections based on the updated information provided to ISDH.
Gov. Beshear: Kentuckians are Living Their Faith by Protecting Others
Gov. Beshear: Kentuckians are Living Their Faith by Protecting Others
Governor announces new drive-through testing partnership
FRANKFORT, Ky. – On Sunday, Gov. Andy Beshear thanked Kentuckians of all faiths for protecting their communities by staying home this holiday weekend, supporting the state’s fight against the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
“It is Easter Sunday and in my faith, today is the day we greet everyone with the same phrase; ‘He is risen,’ and people respond with ‘He is risen indeed,’†Gov. Beshear said. “Thank you to everyone who worshipped at home today. Your decision to stay home, even when it is really hard, is what saves lives. Thank you, Kentuckians. People you have never met are going to be alive three months from now because of your willingness to do it.â€
More than 99.8% of the commonwealth’s houses of worship canceled in-person services this weekend. Only about seven congregations held in-person services disregarding the Governor’s executive order banning mass gatherings and repeated warnings from local, state and federal health officials that these services risked Kentuckians’ lives. Individuals who attended these in-person services will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days, in order to limit the impact of their actions on other people.
Commissioner for the Department for Public Health Dr. Steven Stack said, “Does our right to gather together entitle us to have other people die as a result? That is essential, what happened. This is about any gathering, not just churches. We are at a time and place in history when the human species has never faced, for the last hundred years, a threat like we do now. The choices and decisions you make have implications, not only for yourself but for others.â€
Update on drive-through testing sites
Today, the Governor announced a partnership that will greatly expand the testing capability in Kentucky. The state’s first drive-through testing site will be free of charge and open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, April 13, through Thursday, April 16, at the Franklin County Fairgrounds.
Any future locations will be announced and the overall goal of the partnership is to conduct 20,000 tests over the next five weeks.
“I’m very excited about this. It’s good news,†Gov. Beshear said. “We’ve been working with Kroger for several weeks just trying to get it right. The potential here, just from this program, could almost double the amount of testing we have right now.â€
Colleen Lindholz, president, Kroger Health, said, “Kroger Health’s vision is to help people lead healthier lives and it’s never been more important than right now for us as we help expand testing across the state. An innovative part of Kroger’s testing solution has to do with a digital registration process. We believe this process is the first in the commonwealth and maybe be in the first of the nation to provide a very easy way for people to register for the test.â€
Dustin Nimmo, senior product manager for e-commerce, Kroger Health, said, “You’ll be able to find quickly a location wherever you are in Kentucky and schedule an appointment very easily. There are people who are residents of Kentucky who worked countless hours to build this web portal.â€
The state, Kroger and other partners expect to be able to handle about 250 vehicles per day per site at all locations. Kentuckians can register at thelittleclinic.com/drivethru-testing, or call 1-888-852-2567 (select option 1, then option 3).
First, people seeking a test will use a virtual screening tool based on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to see if they are eligible. Next, they will select a testing location and appointment time that works for them. Then, registrants will receive an email confirmation with pre-appointment paperwork to complete. When a person arrives for their test, they should have their photo ID ready and should leave their window rolled up for check-in, until a health care practitioner comes to the car for the test. Test results are expected within approximately 48-hours.
Those eligible for the test include those with symptoms, health care workers, first responders, those 65 and older, and those with chronic health conditions.
Gov. Beshear thanked project partners Kroger Health, UPS, Gravity Diagnostics, Kentucky Division of Emergency Management, Kentucky Department for Public Health, Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Kentucky National Guard and Franklin County for helping make this possible.
Case information
As of 5 p.m. April 12, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 1,963 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 134 of which were newly confirmed.
“In Kentucky, we are still not seeing the increase we are seeing in other states and we are grateful for that,†Gov. Beshear said.
Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear also reported three new deaths Sunday, raising the state’s toll to 97 deaths related to the virus.
The newly reported deaths include a 72-year-old man from Jefferson County, a 74-year-old woman from Hopkins County, and a 62-year-old man from Pike County.
The Governor asked Kentuckians again to join him in lighting their homes and businesses green tonight in honor of the lives lost, as a continued sign of compassion and renewal.
“We know that we are flattening the curve, let’s not let up now,†Gov. Beshear said. “This virus comes for the most vulnerable and protecting them are the steps we take every single day to do our very best to reduce our contacts. Let’s make sure we keep that up. Let’s make sure we do our part to not spread this virus.â€
At least 607 people (30.9% of total cases) have recovered from COVID-19 in Kentucky.
To date, at least 25,866 people have been tested. At least 667 people (34.0% of total confirmed cases) have ever been hospitalized with 289 people (14.7% of total confirmed cases) currently hospitalized. At least 256 people (13.0% of total cases) have ever been in the ICU with at least 136 people (6.9% of total cases) currently in the ICU.
Gov. Beshear also offered an update on the racial breakdown of COVID-19 patients, which has been the subject of news stories across the country.
The Governor said with about 70% of the known cases accounted for, 81.75% of Kentuckians who tested positive were Caucasian, 11.64% were African-American, 3.99% were multiracial, 2.51% were Asian and 0.08% were Native American or Alaskan Native.
On fatalities attributed to the coronavirus, with more than 81% of the known cases accounted for, Kentucky deaths are about 77.21% Caucasian, 21.51% African-American and 1.26% Asian.
More information
The Governor is asking all Kentuckians to continue to fight the spread of the virus by following his 10-step guidance, which includes practicing social distancing and staying healthy at home. Gov. Beshear says these efforts have the potential to save the lives of as many as 11,000 Kentuckians.
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media account Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Watch the Governor’s social media accounts at 5 p.m. ET each day for his regular briefing.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages people to follow these steps to prevent illness. Kentuckians who want advice can call the state hotline at 800-722-5725 or call their local health care provider.
Commentary: Bernie Sanders Made The Right Call
Commentary: Bernie Sanders Made The Right Call
By John Krull
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS – Bernie Sanders recognized reality.
That’s why the Vermont U.S. senator, an independent, ended his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. His withdrawal makes former Vice President Joe Biden the certain Democratic challenger to President Donald Trump in the general election.
Sanders quit because he had no path to victory – neither for the Democratic nomination nor in the fall campaign. The longer he stayed in, the more likely it was that he not only would imperil Biden’s chances of defeating Trump, but that Sanders would jeopardize the gains he had made with his two presidential runs.
Those were risks Sanders could not afford to take.
His most fervent supporters may indulge in dark conspiracy fantasies about Sanders’ defeat. They can blame the Democratic National Committee, moderate Democrats, the media and anyone else they want, but doing so doesn’t bring them anywhere close to the truth.
What Sanders tried to do amounted to a hostile takeover of a political party he refused to join for any purpose other than leading it. He wanted to maintain his outsider status while claiming the ultimate insider position.
If, in fact, that was what he was trying to do.
I long have had my doubts that Sanders really wanted to be president. Being president – or, at least, being an effective president – involves working with others, finding ways to keep people at the table, resolving differences, compromising in service of the greater good.
That isn’t Bernie Sanders.
His great strength – his appeal to so many voters – is the uncompromising nature of his personality. The man is a born advocate, relentless and untiring. He’s never been much interested in hearing and acknowledging, much less accommodating, the views of those who disagree with him.
His was the voice that refused, always, to be silenced, not the ear attuned to those who do not share his views nor the eye that seeks and secures common ground.
Winning the presidency would have put him in a position that prevented him from exercising his gifts while it exposed all his weaknesses.
His devoted supporters do not see it that way, of course.
Sanders’ unwillingness to compromise or consider other points of view prompts them to see him as a beacon of purity in an impure world. They believe he – and he alone – can cleanse the land and allow them to maintain innocence.
That’s why they entertain absurd notions that victory somehow was stolen from their champion. They never ask themselves how he possibly could have gained victory over the combined forces of the Trump White House and Wall Street if he could not persuade millions of Americans who agree with him on many issues that he was the best choice.
Some complain that the DNC and moderate Democrats didn’t play fair. They contend that the DNC put pressure on moderate Democratic candidates such as former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar to step aside so centrist support could coalesce around Biden.
Such exercises in magical thinking overlook several things.
One is that Buttigieg and Klobuchar can count. They left the race as soon as it was clear as the numbers made clear they couldn’t win. They also know that they both are young enough to have several more shots at the White House if they don’t burn bridges along the way.
Another is that they also may have meant what they said – that they saw Donald Trump as such a great threat to American institutions that they would embrace, enthusiastically, any Democrat who would face him.
Still another is that Sanders didn’t win. It’s an odd political strategy that depends upon one’s opponents to commit self-destructive acts, but that’s what Sanders’ supporters demanded that Democrats who did not completely align with them do.
The Sanders supporters’ anger blinds them to the fact that his campaigns far exceeded expectations.
Thanks to his and their efforts, the debate in most of America is not about whether all Americans should have healthcare, but how this should be done. We argue now not about whether American families should have relief from the crushing financial burden of getting a college education, but how that relief should be applied.
Bernie Sanders and his supporters did that. They did what great advocates do. They changed the conversation
That’s a reality, one they should recognize.
FOOTNOTE:John Krull is director of Franklin College’s Pulliam School of Journalism and publisher of TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
The City-County Observer posted this article without bias, opinion or editing.