INDIANAPOLIS — Thursday's latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic.
ISDH daily case count update
Indiana's coronavirus cases jumped by 523 over the last day, now totaling 43,655. ISDH also reported nine additional deaths. There have been a total of 2,394 coronavirus deaths reported.
Thursday's jump in positive cases is nearly double the 275 new cases reported Wednesday.
Thursday's newly reported cases date back to June 22, while the newly reported deaths date back to June 18.
More than 444,000 Hoosiers have been tested for the virus so far, with 9.8 percent testing positive.
Lebanon schools reopening plans
LCSC will start the 2020-21 school year as scheduled with in-person instruction, five days per week.
Students and staff will be strongly encouraged to wear face masks.
Parents who aren't comfortable sending their children back for medical or other reasons will have a remote-learning option.
You can learn more about the reopening plan by clicking here.
City of Indianapolis launches #MaskUpIndy campaign
The City of Indianapolis has partnered with local artists to launch the #MaskUpIndy initiative, encouraging residents to wear masks to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Six local artists created public artwork around the city to illustrate the importance of wearing a mask and promote taking advantage of the city's program offering free face coverings to Marion County residents.
Businesses, organizations and residents will also be able to display the art in poster form. Businesses and organizations should contact their Mayor's Neighborhood advocate — found online here — to request a poster. Residents can get a poster during business hours at these locations:
- Indianapolis Artsgarden
- City-County Building
- Indianapolis City Market
- Original Farmers Market
Adults looking to get a free face covering should request one here.
Kentucky Derby will run with spectators in September
Spectators will be allowed at the Kentucky Oaks and Derby, Churchill Downs announced.
Under new guidelines, there will be reduced capacity to limit crowd density on Derby weekend. Churchill Downs said general admission tickets that only grant access to the infield will be limited to a specific number of people.
The track will also limit access throughout the facility, specifically to the barn area. Credentials for employees, media and guests will be reduced.
Guests are encouraged to wear masks at all times, including when going to the restroom, placing a bet, buying food or walking throughout the track.
Hamilton County Schools reopening
Hamilton County schools will be starting on schedule for the next school year.
Changes being made to keep students safe include:
- Providing flexible options to meet individual student needs, including both online and face-to-face learning.
- Implementing daily screening/self-screening procedures for COVID-19 symptoms.
- Asking students and staff to wear masks, at times.
- Maximizing facility space with respect to social distancing, including lunch tables spaced out to the greatest extent possible.
- Closing water fountains and maintaining water bottle fill stations.
- Requiring students and staff to stay home when ill and creating separate spaces in school health clinics to address COVID-19 symptoms.
- Transporting students with precautionary safety measures in place.
- Enhancing student hygiene practices and building cleaning procedures.
- Restricting visitors.
- Training staff and students on COVID-19 safety measures.
Specific reopening information for each district will be shared with parents in the coming weeks.
Applications for jobless aid fall to still-high 1.48 million
The number of laid-off workers who applied for unemployment benefits declined slightly to 1.48 million last week, the 12th straight drop and a sign that layoffs are slowing but are still at a painfully high level.
The steady decline in claims suggests that the job market has begun to slowly heal from the pandemic, which shuttered businesses and sent the unemployment rate up to 14.7% in April, its highest level since the Great Depression.
Yet the latest figure also coincides with a sudden resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the United States, especially in the South and West, that’s threatening to derail a nascent economic rebound.
The number of people who are receiving jobless aid also fell last week, evidence that employers are rehiring some of the workers who had been laid off since mid-March.
Kroger to offer free COVID-19 testing on Indy's west side
Kroger Health will resume its free COVID-19 testing program in Indianapolis.
The drive-thru service will take place at Chapel Hill Junior High School on the city's west side, courtesy of the Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township and the Marion County Health Department.
Kroger Health is expected to administer 250 tests per day on June 25, 26, 29 and 30 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Click here to register.
Eligibility will be established by a virtual screening tool based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and recommendations from state and local government. Those eligible will then select the appropriate testing location and appointment time and receive an email confirmation with pre-appointment paperwork.
When patients arrive for their tests, they should have a photo ID ready and leave their windows rolled up for check-in. A Kroger pharmacist or other health care practitioner will approach the car and alert the patient when to roll down the window.
The drive-thru testing location has a self-administered nasal swab that must be ordered and observed by a provider.
Test results are expected within approximately 48 hours.
Macy's cutting 3,900 management jobs to cope with pandemic
Macy’s is cutting its corporate headcount by approximately 3,900 jobs and is further reducing staffing in stores, the company announced Thursday.
The business is struggling to recover from closing stores from March 18 through May 4, 2020 because of the pandemic.
Macy’s, Inc. has reduced staffing across its stores, supply chain and customer support network, which it will adjust as sales recover.
“COVID-19 has significantly impacted our business," said Jeff Gennette, chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s in a company statement announcing the cuts. "While the re-opening of our stores is going well, we do anticipate a gradual recovery of business, and we are taking action to align our cost base with our anticipated lower sales."
The company anticipates calling back some furloughed employees in July as sales recover.
“We know that we will be a smaller company for the foreseeable future," Gennette said.
Macy's obtained approximately $4.5 billion in new financing to weather the pandemic.
The company expects to save approximately $365 million in fiscal 2020 and approximately $630 million annually with Thursday's announced cuts.
Eiffel Tower reopens after 104-day shutdown
The Eiffel Tower has reopened Thursday, marking another milestone in France’s recovery from its coronavirus lockdown. Lifts that usually whisk people up the 324-meter (1,063-feet) tall wrought-iron tower remain closed, so the first visitors had to take the stairs.
Of the Tower’s three decks, only the first two reopened. Those who made the climb Thursday were rewarded with far-away views.
The closure of 104 days was the tower's longest in peace time. It cost the landmark 27 million euros ($30 million) in lost revenue. Xavier Besa, a tourist from Barcelona, was among the first in line, delighted to find the landmark open when other Paris attractions remain closed.
Latest US, world numbers
There have been 2.38 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. as of 3:30 a.m. ET Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 121,000 deaths and 656,000 people recovered.
Worldwide, there have been 9.43 million confirmed cases with more than 482,000 deaths and 4.74 million recovered.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
Newfields to reopen outdoor spaces to the public on Thursday
Newfields is reopening its outdoor spaces to the public beginning Thursday, June 25.
The outdoor spaces, including The Garden, The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, and The Beer Garden, were first open to members June 23.
Entrance to all outdoor spaces will be free to members, but a ticket is still required. General admission tickets for the public will be $18 for adults, $10 for children ages 6-17, and free for children 5 and under. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park remains free to all guests.
All guests are required to reserve a ticket online at discovernewfields.org. Online ticket service fees are being waived at this time.
The Garden and The Beer Garden will be open to the public Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the campus will remain closed on Mondays. Fairbanks Park will be open to the public daily from dawn to dusk.
Click here to read about the new safety protocols put in place upon reopening.