Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon urges governor to increase COVID-19 testing in Lake County

INDIANAPOLIS — State Representative Mara Candelaria Reardon (D-Munster) today sent a letter to Governor Holcomb urging him to increase testing in Lake County, which is the second most densely populated county in Indiana. Lake County is right behind Marion County in the number of positive COVID-19 cases, but has received a quarter of the amount of tests. This testing increase is critical, as Lake County is located directly between two COVID-19 hotspots, Chicago and Indianapolis.

The text of the letter is pasted below:

April 17, 2020

The Honorable Eric Holcomb
Governor of Indiana
200 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

Dear Governor Holcomb,

I appreciate the actions you have taken to protect Hoosiers from the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. As decisions and preparations for the reopening of the state’s economy are under review, I am concerned the state has not conducted enough widespread testing to track the path and penetration of the virus in a way that would allow Hoosiers to safely return to work. Therefore, I request that the necessary resources be made available in order to increase the rate of COVID-19 testing in Lake County, the second most densely populated county in the state of Indiana.

Lake County continues to rank second to Marion County in the number of positive COVID-19 cases and the fatality count is also second in the state, yet Lake County remains significantly behind in its rate of testing. Though the population of Marion County is twice the size of Lake County, Marion County has conducted four times the amount of COVID-19 tests, leaving vulnerable communities in Lake County suffering as a direct result. Currently, only healthcare workers, first responders and essential workers who have coronavirus symptoms can be tested. Increased testing for Lake County is critical considering its location directly between two COVID-19 hotspots, Chicago and Indianapolis.

I have identified critical steps where your administration can take action to ensure there is a real data driven assessment of the outbreak:

• Acquire enhanced testing capacity and explore all possible avenues for additional testing supplies, with federal and other states.
• Increase testing for the general public, not just frontline workers in Lake County and implement a tracking and tracing plan.
• Implement a centralized and coordinated data system between the Indiana State Department of Health and county and local health departments.

It is important that data-driven guidelines are developed to get Hoosiers back to work safely while protecting vulnerable populations. Increased widespread testing, especially in the under-tested communities in Lake County, is the key to effectively opening the economy in a safe manner without endangering the well-being of Hoosiers.

Sincerely,

Mara Candelaria Reardon
State Representative
House District 12