A IDOT employee inventories a pallet of medical supplies, Thursday, March 26, 2020, in Indianapolis. The medical supplies were being delivered to Indiana hospitals and health departments to help fight the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
The Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The Indianapolis 500 on Thursday joined a long list of sporting events postponed by the coronavirus, as Indiana reported its death toll from the pandemic has risen by three to 17. State officials also insisted that residents abide by the governor's stay-at-home order to rein in the coronavirus spread and not take advantage of its travel and work exemptions. A roundup of what's happening statewide:
ILLNESS SPREADS
Indiana's new deaths were reported from the rural counties of Jasper, Putnam and Franklin - the first ones for each county. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state grew by 170 to 645, the Indiana State Department of Health reported Thursday.
Gov. Eric Holcomb's stay-at-home order took effect Wednesday. The order has exceptions for workers in essential businesses or for necessary trips for food and medicine, but largely leaves it to individuals and businesses to decide whether they are exempt.
Holcomb said Thursday that exemptions were 'œnot encouragement to break the rules'ť and that the state has seen great declines in traffic and business activity.
'œIt's all in an effort to get through this so that 100% can go back to work, not just the essential companies or the businesses that can conduct their business in a responsible manner,'ť Holcomb said.
ORDER ENFORCEMENT
State Police Superintendent Doug Carter said he was looking into reports of police officers stopping people to ask them why they were on the road. Carter said police departments have been directed to not require proof from people while the stay-at-home order is in place.
'œOur communities have seen a significant decrease in movement - it's working,'ť Carter said. 'œBut there is no need for you to carry a document with you, nor can law enforcement officers stop you simply to say: '~What are you doing out here?''ť
INDY 500 POSTPONED
Motorsports giant Roger Penske, who finalized his purchase of IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway earlier this year, announced that the Indianapolis 500 will take place Aug. 23, not May 24, meaning the race won't run on the Memorial Day weekend for the first time since 1946.
'œI 110% support the decision to postpone it,'ť Holcomb said. 'œI'm just tickled that we're still going to have it ... and we'll welcome the world back to the state of Indiana at that time.'ť
The IndyCar road course race at the speedway will now be run on July 4, a day before NASCAR races there in an unprecedented doubleheader.
JOBLESS CLAIMS
Indiana's new unemployment claims skyrocketed last week to 62,777 compared to 3,400 claims a week earlier, said Fred Payne, the state workforce development agency commissioner.
The most new jobless claims Indiana has ever seen in a month was 157,000 in March 2009, Payne said.
SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION
Indiana National Guard members on Thursday started distributing medical supplies to hospitals and county health departments, driving them from a warehouse at the Guard's Stout Field base in Indianapolis in state highway department vans with state police cruiser escorts. Federal sources have provided several truckloads of masks, face shields and gowns, said Dr. Kristina Box, the state health commissioner.
A Indiana National Guardsman pushes a pallet of medical supplies to be delivered, Thursday, March 26, 2020, in Indianapolis. The medical supplies were being delivered to Indiana hospitals and health departments to help fight the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
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Carmel Police block a section of the Monon Trail in Carmel, Ind., Thursday, March 26, 2020. The mayor ordered a section of the trail closed to improve social distancing compliance to slow the spread of COVID-19 during Indiana's stay-at-home order. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Associated Press
A Indiana National Guardsman lines up a pallets of medical supplies, Thursday, March 26, 2020, in Indianapolis. The medical supplies were being delivered to Indiana hospitals and health departments to help fight the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
The Associated Press
A Indiana National Guardsman loads a pallet of medical supplies into the back of a truck, Thursday, March 26, 2020, in Indianapolis. The medical supplies were being delivered to Indiana hospitals and health departments to help fight the coronavirus pandemic. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
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A Indiana National Guardsman linesup pallets of medical supplies to be delivered, Thursday, March 26, 2020, in Indianapolis. The medical supplies were being delivered to Indiana hospitals and health departments to help fight the coronavirus pandemic. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
The Associated Press
A Indiana State Police officer and IDOT employees check a pallets of medical supplies in the back of a truck, Thursday, March 26, 2020, in Indianapolis. The medical supplies were being delivered to Indiana hospitals and health departments to help fight the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
The Associated Press
A pallet of medical supplies is seen in the back of a pickup truck, Thursday, March 26, 2020, in Indianapolis. The medical supplies, which were being delivered by the Indiana State Police and INDOT, were going to Indiana hospitals and health departments to help fight the coronavirus pandemic. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this May 26, 2019, file photo, actors Christian Bale, left, and Matt Damon wave green flags to start Indianapolis 500 IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis 500 scheduled for May 24 has been postponed until August because of the coronavirus pandemic and won't run on Memorial Day weekend for the first time since 1946.The race will instead be held Aug. 23. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
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FILE - In this May 26, 2019, file photo, Simon Pagenaud, of France, celebrates after winning the Indianapolis 500 IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis 500 scheduled for May 24 has been postponed until August because of the coronavirus pandemic and won't run on Memorial Day weekend for the first time since 1946.The race will instead be held Aug. 23. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this May 26, 2019, file photo, Simon Pagenaud, of France, leads the field through the first turn on the start of the Indianapolis 500 IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis 500 scheduled for May 24 has been postponed until August because of the coronavirus pandemic and won't run on Memorial Day weekend for the first time since 1946.The race will instead be held Aug. 23. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
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