A Timeline of the Coronavirus Pandemic in Indiana

By Hannah Ossip on March 25, 2020

The coronavirus, which surfaced in Wuhan, China, continues to spread throughout the U.S.

Here’s a timeline of the outbreak in Indiana so far.

Feb. 27

Health officials say Indiana is prepared if COVID-19 arrives in state.

On Feb. 27, The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is urging Hoosiers to take common-

sense steps to prepare for the possibility that the novel coronavirus gains a greater foothold in the

U.S. “The situation with this novel coronavirus is changing rapidly, and I know that can cause

concern because we don’t have all the answers yet. What we do have, however, is a plan for how

to respond if and when COVID-19 comes to Indiana,” said State Health Commissioner Kris Box.

March 6

Indiana health officials announced the first case of COVID-19.

On March 6, ISDH confirmed the first case in a Hoosier with recent travel to Boston. Gov. Eric

Holcomb declared a public health emergency declaration in the state. The public health

emergency declaration Gov. Holcomb is issuing today will call on state agencies to continue

their diligence and cooperation in responding to COVID-19 and ensures that Indiana can seek

funding to control and stop the spread of coronavirus.

March 8

State health department announces second COVID-19 Case.

On March 8, ISDH has identified the second presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in the

state. The patient, an adult who resides in Hendricks County, is in isolation with mild symptoms

and is not hospitalized at this time. The patient traveled to Boston in late February to attend the

BioGen conference and developed mild flu-like symptoms on March 2. More than 12 COVID-19

cases nationwide have been tied to the conference, including a Marion County resident who was

identified on March 6 as Indiana’s first COVID-19 case.

March 9

State health department reports increase in COVID-19 cases.

On March 9, ISDH has confirmed four presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 since Friday,

March 6. Three patients are adults, one patient is a juvenile. The individuals reside in Marion,

Hendricks and Noble counties. The Noble County patient is currently hospitalized. Avon

Community schools have decided to close all its schools through March 20. The state has

upgraded its Emergency Operations Center to a Level 3 to allow for more coordination among

state agencies.

March 10

COVID-19 update from ISDH.

The number of Hoosiers who have tested presumptively positive for COVID-19 remains at six,

according to the ISDH. Five Indiana counties now have COVID-19. Two of the people with

COVID-19 are in the hospital, the other four people are in self-isolation.

March 11

COVID-19 update from ISDH.

The number of Hoosiers who have tested presumptively positive for COVID-19 is now at 10,

according to the ISDH. Seven Indiana counties now have cases of COVID-19. The residents who

have been diagnosed live in Howard, Johnson, Marion, Hendricks, Adams, Boone and Noble

counties.

March 13

COVID-19 update from ISDH.

The number of Hoosiers who have tested presumptively positive for COVID-19 remains at 12 as

announced earlier today by the ISDH. The individuals with positive tests reside in Marion, St.

Joseph, Hendricks, Adams, Boone, Howard, Johnson, and Noble counties. All but one are adults.

March 14

ISDH announces new positives cases.

On March 14, ISDH reported three new presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the

total number to 15 diagnosed through ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC) and private laboratories.

March 15

ISDH announces new positives cases.

On March 15, ISDH reported four new presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the

total number to 19 diagnosed throughout ISDH, CDC and private laboratories.

March 16
Indiana reports the first COVID-19 death.

On March 16, ISDH reported the first death in Indiana due to COVID-19. The person was over

the age of 60 and had been hospitalized as a COVID-19 patient who also suffered from

underlying medical conditions.

ISDH also reported five new presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number

of cases to 24.

March 17

Gov. Holcomb takes action to slow the spread as the second death is reported.

On March 17, Gov. Holcomb’s executive order actives the Indiana National Guard to be on duty

to assist as needed. The governor’s executive order also delays non-essential public meetings.

Bars, nightclubs and restaurants are closed to dine-in patrons. They may provide take-out and

delivery services through the end of March.

ISDH also announced that a second Hoosier has died from COVID-19. The patient is a Johnson

County adult over the age of 60 who had been hospitalized.

March 18

COVID-19 update from ISDH.

On March 18, ISDH reported nine new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number to

39 cases. The new cases involve residents of Clark, Fayette, Hamilton, Hendricks, Jennings,

Lake, Madison, and Marion counties.

March 19
COVID-19 update from ISDH.

On March 19, ISDH reported 17 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of

confirmed cases to 56.

March 20

Health officials announce third COVID-19 death.

On March 20, ISDH announced that a third Hoosier has died of COVID-19. The patient is an

adult of Marion County, over the age of 60 who had been hospitalized. ISDH reported 23 new

cases of COVID-19, bringing the total confirmed cases to 79.

March 21

Health officials announce fourth COVID-19 death.

On March 21, ISDH confirmed the fourth Indiana death from COVID-19. The patient is from

Delaware County and over the age of 60 who had been hospitalized. ISDH reported 126

Hoosiers who have contracted COVID-19. All but one are adults.

March 22

ISDH announces two additional COVID-19 deaths.

On March 22, ISDH announced that two more Hoosiers have died after testing positive for

COVID-19, bringing the total number to six Indiana deaths. The patients were adults residents of

Scoot and Marion counties. Both were over the age of 50 and had underlying medical conditions.

ISDH also announced that 201 Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
March 23

COVID-19 update from ISDH.

On March 23, ISDH reported 58 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number to

259 of Hoosiers diagnosed through ISDH, CDC and private laboratories. Seven Hoosiers have

died, including an Allen County adult over the age of 60, whose death was announced Sunday by

the Allen Country Healthy Department.

March 24

Health department announces five new deaths.

On March 24, ISDH reported 107 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number to

356 confirmed cases. Twelve Hoosiers have died.