Corona Virus spreading ... US official says no need to worry

Here's what Holcomb said about reopening:

• Holcomb said the state is using four principles to inform its reopening strategy: evidence of a 14-day decrease in the number of hospitalized patients, retaining the capacity of ICU beds and ventilators, the ability to test all Hoosiers who show symptoms of COVID-19, and the ability to contact trace all cases. The governor said the state has either met these principles are has ramped up efforts to do so.
• Holcomb said reopening will happen in five stages, with the goal of having the state “back on track” by July 4. He cautioned that the plan is subject to change.
• Stage 1 is the phase we have been in since mid-March. In this phase, essential manufacturing, construction, infrastructure, government, business and other critical operations remain open. Schools remain closed.
• Stage 2 will begin on Monday, May 4 for most counties. Marion and Lake Counties can begin Stage 2 on May 11. Cass County can start Stage 2 on May 18. The stage includes: Those 65 and older or high-risk should remain at home as much as possible. Social gatherings can increase to 25 people. Restaurants can open at 50% capacity starting May 11. Essential travel restrictions will be lifted. Remaining manufacturers that were not considered essential will be able to open. Retail and commercial businesses will open at 50% capacity.
• While state rules would allow Indianapolis to begin Phase 2 on May 11, a stay-at-home order for Marion County extends through May 15.
• ​Restaurants and bars that serve food may open for dine-in starting May 11 at 50% capacity, but bar seating will remain closed.
• Personal services such as hair salons and tattoo parlors can begin to open May 11 by appointment only. They must follow social distancing guidelines.
• Those who work in office settings are encouraged to work remotely whenever possible.
• Starting May 8, for all counties, Indiana worship services may convene, with social distancing, though virtual or drive-in services are still encouraged. Those 65 and older are asked to stay home.
• On May 24, Stage 3 may begin: Those who are high-risk may venture out, cautiously. Those who can work remotely should continue to do so. Social gatherings of up to 100 people may occur. Retail stores and malls can go up to 75% capacity. Movie theaters can operate at 50% capacity.
• If still on track, the state can move to Stage 4 by June 14. Face coverings will be optional. Zoos and museums can open at 50% capacity. Social gatherings of up to 250 will be allowed. State government buildings will reopen to the public. Office employees can resume work at full capacity. Retail can open at full capacity. Dining service can open at 75% capacity. Recreational sports and leagues can resume.
• Stage 5 would begin July 4. Fairs, festivals and sporting events can resume, with social distancing guidelines. Remote work will still be optional. Retails stores, gyms, personal services and dining can operate at full capacity. Restrictions will be lifted at amusement parks and like facilities.
  
  [*]At Stage 5, the state will decide how to approach the next school year.
  
  
• “Now comes the hard part,” Holcomb said. He said the plan will require “constant vigilance” from everyone, adding the number of cases will likely continue to increase. If the four principles aren’t met, the plan could change. “This is up to each and every one of us,” he said.
• Holcomb said the point of the stay-at-home order was to make sure the state has the ability to treat patients, which requires slowing the spread of the virus. “Our effort going forward will be all about managing through this crisis. I’m praying for a vaccine but we gotta do what we can do right now.” Indiana State Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Lindsay Weaver added that the stay-at-home measures also protected those most at risk and helped hospitals prepare.
• Holcomb said the state will support local municipalities – like Marion County and Indianapolis -- that make different reopening decisions based on their specific needs and data. The governor’s general counsel said, per state law, local communities can be more strict in their requirements than the state.
• On the counties that will not enter Stage 2 on Monday, including Marion County, Weaver said the state has taken into consideration the referral patterns between hospitals. Officials also looked at the capacity of hospitals in those areas to make sure they can handle an influx of patients.
• On balancing the public health and economic crisis, Holcomb said the state has taken a safety-first approach. “But we also don’t want to be reluctant to safely re-engage and restart and get back on track,” he said, adding that it’s “a little bit of science and a little bit of art.”
• Weaver said 84 sites across the state are providing COVID-19 tests. The state will add an additional 50 sites through a partnership with OptumServe. The online portal including a map of locations is expected to be available Monday.
• On the seemingly symbolic July 4 date for Stage Five, Holcomb said, “it just played out to July as we were looking at the data before us.” He reiterated the plan and dates could change depending on the data.

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China shuts down city after failed bid to contain second coronavirus outbreak
China's city Jilin is in the midst of a Wuhan-style lockdown after a botched attempt to contain a second wave of coronavirus infections which saw six officials get sacked

A bustling city in China with a population of 4.4 million people has announced a new Wuhan-style lockdown after a second wave of coronavirus infections.

Officials in Jilin, the former capital and second-largest city in Jilin Province, put Fengman District on "high alert" yesterday.

The district recorded three new locally transmitted cases and one further death.

It comes one week after Shulan, which is administered by Jilin, went on lockdown and quarantined 8,000 people in a failed bid to contain the second outbreak.

On Saturday, the local government sacked six officials, including Shulan Communist Party Chief Li Pengfei, over their handling of the second wave....

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