Second COVID-19 Case Identified In Indiana, Both Stem From Boston BioGen Conference

The Indiana State Department of Health, ISDH, announced Sunday it has identified a second positive case of illness from the new coronavirus.

ISDH says an adult Hendricks County resident with mild symptoms is in isolation with COVID-19.

The agency says the patient traveled to Boston in late February to attend the BioGen conference and then developed mild flu-like symptoms. More than a dozen COVID-19 cases have been linked to that conference, including a Marion County resident who was identified last week. That patient is also in isolation with mild symptoms.

ISDH asks Hoosiers who attended the BioGen conference to self-quarantine at home, watch for symptoms and contact their doctor or local health department if symptoms appear. Symptoms include cough, fever or shortness of breath.

A news release from the Department of Health says state laboratories are now providing testing for COVID-19 seven days a week if patients meet U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention testing criteria. The agency also ordered additional testing supplies. 

READ MORE: How Coronavirus Spreads: A Cough In Your Face ... Or A Kiss On Your Cheek

Coronavirus is most commonly spread from an infected person to others through respiratory droplets released into the air by sneezing or coughing, close personal contact, and touching a surface with the virus on it and then touching mouth, nose or eyes before washing hands.

ISDH says the best way to prevent the spread of the virus is to wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; disinfect frequently touched objects; and staying home when sick.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified.

The CDC does not recommend healthy people wear face masks to protect themselves. It says face masks should be used only by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms to protect others from exposure. The CDC says you should only wear a mask if a health care professional says to.

Contact Darian at dbenson@wfyi.org or follow her on Twitter at @helloimdarian.