Likely More Than 60,000 Hoosiers Have COVID-19, Says State Health Director

Indiana likely has tens of thousands of people infected with COVID-19, even though limited available tests have only confirmed 12 such cases.

That’s according to State Health Commissioner Kris Box, who spoke with reporters Friday.

Dr. Box says she doesn’t know how many Hoosiers are being tested for coronavirus daily. The state health department has tested more than 70 people, but she says there’s also private testing going on.

“Because see they don’t report those to me unless they’re positive,” Box says. “People ask me a lot of times, ‘Well, how many negatives have you had?’ Well, unfortunately I don’t have that knowledge.”

READ MORE: What Do You Need To Know About Coronavirus? We’ve Got Answers.

There still aren’t enough tests available for everyone who might need one – though Box says Indiana has received more from the federal government and expects more soon.

Box urges people who develop symptoms but can’t get tested to stay home when possible.

“The concern we would have is if that individual works in a long-term care facility and went to work symptomatic; if that individual is a health care provider; if that individual has significant underlying health care conditions themselves,” Box says.

Box says more private testing will become available but can’t give any definite timelines.

Contact Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

This is a rapidly evolving story, and we are working hard to bring you the most up-to-date information. However, we recommend checking the websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Indiana State Department of Health for the most recent numbers of COVID-19 cases.