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Coronavirus In Indiana: Statewide Death Toll Rises To 12; 20 Cases Now Reported In Northwest Indiana

CHICAGO (CBS) --- The number of deaths due to COVID-19 in Indiana rose to 12 on Tuesday, while the number of cases in Northwest Indiana rose to 20.

There have been no reported fatalities from COVID-19 in Lake, Porter or LaPorte counties. Lake County has reported 17 cases, up from 11 on Monday. Porter County reported its first case, according to Indiana health officials.

Of the 365 people infected with the novel coronavirus, more than half of them are from Indianapolis area and the surrounding counties. Six deaths have been reported in the Indianapolis area, officials said.

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb on Monday issued a stay at home order for all Hoosiers, ordering residents to "hunker down' as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise. That order goes into effect at midnight on Wednesday. The order is similar to the one that went into effect Saturday in Illinois.

Based on current numbers, about 13 percent of people are testing positive for COVID-19. The state is also setting up a system to hire retired healthcare workers to help treat the sick. The Department of Corrections is making masks .

State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box cautioned that the state is in the very early stages of the outbreak.  As the number of cases grow, officials will not be able to trace the interactions between sick patients and others, she said. The state is also requesting personal protective equipment from the national stockpile. Box said the state has not yet experienced a surge of infection, but it is preparing for it.

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