Good afternoon. Welcome to the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, April 8th, 2020.

First up, your local headlines:

Photo courtesy of the Pharma Letter.

As of April 7th at 11:59 p.m. there are nearly 6,000 positive cases of Covid-19 in Indiana. The death toll rises to over 200 people. This is out of over 30,000 people tested.

The largest age demographic for contracting the virus includes 50-59 year olds who make up over 20 percent of all positive cases.

For those who died from coronavirus, the 80+ age demographic makes up almost 40 percent of deaths.

The Indiana State Department of Health today announced that 439 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with Covid-19 through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and private laboratories.

Marion County had the most cases, at 151 people. Other counties with more than 10 new cases include Bartholomew, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Lake and St. Joseph Counties.

Monroe County has 60 positive tests, with zero deaths. This is out of 409 people tested.

Photo courtesy of City of Bloomington.

A second employee from the City of Bloomington staff tested positive for COVID-19.

The employee works in the Parks and Recreation Department and according to a city press release was placed on leave Monday, March 30th. The positive test was received Thursday April 2nd.

The city is following all control and prevention protocols and is working to identify and inform any colleges the infected employee would have been in direct contact within the past week. This follows the city's first positive case of a firefighter reported on March 28th.

The city press release reads, "The City’s Human Resources Department has apprised all employees of the options for paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave available as of April 1 through the new federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act."

These provisions are effective for employees through December 31st, 2020.

Photo courtesy of CDC.

Monroe County Health Department and the Monroe County Commissioners said they recommend residents to follow the CDC’s new directive to wear face coverings in public settings where social distancing is difficult. This includes grocery stores and pharmacies.

Last week, the CDC released guidance after research showed a significant number of people with coronavirus do not show symptoms. It went on to add that the people who don’t show symptoms can transmit the virus several days before symptoms begin. This means the virus can spread when people are interacting in close proximity with each other - talking, sneezing or coughing - even though no one is showing symptoms.

CDC says that wearing a cover for the face helps protect against the spread of the virus. It also will help people who may be carrying the virus and aren’t aware of it. Cloth face coverings can be made from household items, such as a scarf or can be made from other common items found on the CDC’s website.

The CDC says it does does recommend surgical face masks for the general public, as they are more necessary for health care workers.

According to a county press release, wearing a face-covering mask does not replace the need to maintain 6 feet apart. Social distancing remains the number one strategy used to slow the transmission of the virus.

Photo courtesy of Bloomington Transit.

Effective Monday April, 6th Bloomington Transit is offering Saturday bus route schedules. The schedules will NOT be exactly the same as weekday routes and riders can find the Saturday schedules at www.BloomingtonTransit.com.

According to a city press release,