Update at 11 a.m. Monday
Allen County has had six individuals test positive for the virus.
Update at 3:45 p.m. Indiana has reported two additional deaths from the virus, in Scott and Marion counties. The Allen County Health Department updated the county’s coronavirus count to five Sunday morning, as the state’s numbers climbed as well, now totalling 201.
The number of individuals tested in Indiana increased to 1,494. The novel coronavirus has been detected in 40 Indiana counties. Many counties, including Allen, are using private tests and their numbers are different than the state’s count.
Declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization, the virus has been detected in more than 27,000 individuals in the United States.
On Saturday evening, Allen County Health Commissioner Dr. Deb McMahan effectively cancelled all religious services, closing houses of worship wherever they meet.
Gatherings in buildings are limited to 10. Many churches offered streaming services to connect with worshipers via Facebook and YouTube.
Sunday morning, Dr. McMahan issued a clarification to the order that it did not apply to churches that offer child care or daycare services offered from church facilities. Child care and daycare facilities are considered essential services, according to the state.
On Saturday, the Allen County SPCA closed the shelter to all adoption and intake proceedings, and remains only open to staff. They reminded residents that companion animals are not known to carry the virus and people should not surrender their pets to the shelters for any reason at this time because space at shelters is at a premium.
