Thread by @EricBermanIN

.@GovHolcomb indicated at yesterday's #coronavirus briefing he'd have an update today on efforts to get more #PPE. He opens today's briefing by saying to expect that update tomorrow.

DWD is conducting virtual #jobfairs to help #unemployed Hoosiers -- including one for @GM's Kokomo plant, which needs hundreds more workers for its shift to manufacturing #ventilators.

Box: Hospitals and clinics must transition to outpatient testing to ramp up number of tests. Repeats yesterday's urging to definitely test people with symptoms if they have the capacity.

Box: state has 106K swabs, from purchase, donations, and FEMA. FDA just approved a home test which uses an ordinary swab; Box cautions the shorter swab is not as accurate as the extra-long swab, but says it could significantly expand testing.

Fairbanks School of Public Health will be contacting Hoosiers for a study it's conducting on the spread of #coronavirus and how it's hitting different demographic groups.

Fairbanks School is part of @IUPUI, created 8 years ago. Dean Paul Halverson says the school has already been working with health officials and #hospitals on forecasting models to plan for patient surge.

Fairbanks health policy and management chair Nir Menachemi says testing so far has focused on people with symptoms and in large groups. This effort will randomly reach out to volunteers to get a sense of the true scope of the #coronaviruspandemic in Indiana.

18% of those tested so far have tested positive. Menachemi says this study will test scientifically randomized sample of 5000-7000 Hoosiers, to gauge true prevalence of virus, including mild cases, and any disparities across regions, races, gender, age, etc.

Holcomb: distribution of food through #foodbanks is up 150% across the state.

Box on Logansport Tyson outbreak: 160 known cases at plant so far, out of about 2100 employees.

Box says she welcomes local #COVID19 testing efforts; she says @StateHealthIN is putting together a map of where tests are available locally. Indy & Fishers today announced local testing programs to start late next week. Holcomb adds "Bravo" to those cities, & others pursuing it.

Menachemi: postcards to selected test subjects are already in the mail. They plan to do first #covid19 tests Saturday, deliver preliminary results to @GovHolcomb and @StateHealthIN by late next week.

Holcomb brought a prop today: a crystal ball, to illustrate that he doesn't have a real one. He says he's relying on data, and on experts like Menachemi, to chart course in responding to #pandemic.

OMB Director Cris Johnston: state has not furloughed or laid off any state employees, but has imposed hiring freeze in anticipation of budget impact on economy.