Tippecanoe County Commissioners declared a local disaster emergency Saturday due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19.
In a statement, the commissioners said the declaration would “facilitate future financial reimbursement, funding assistance, supplies and other assistance as are made available through the State and Federal Government due to the health emergency.”
The Tippecanoe County Health Department announced two residents tested positive for COVID-19 last week. The first casewas diagnosed in Florida, and the second case after a resident returned from international travel.
The commissioners also addressed what they called “rumors” about the possibility of a county lockdown and restrictions placed upon resident travel.
“There are currently no travel advisories or restrictions in Tippecanoe County,” the statement said. “Please continue to get updated information from trusted sources and refrain from spreading unverified information.”
Montgomery County officials released a statement Friday with a similar warning to residents, announcing “there are no imminent plans to control citizen movement or functions to the extreme degree that has been so inaccurately circulated in recent days.”
On Sunday, the Indiana State Department announced the number of statewide deaths from COVID-19 had risen to six. ISDH also reported an increase of 76 positive cases from Saturday, for a total of 201 confirmed cases in Indiana.