INDIANAPOLIS — This is a weekly blog with daily updates on COVID-19 numbers, COVID vaccine and other related content across Indiana for the week of March 22, 2021. Governor Eric Holcomb does a live briefing at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Sunday, March 28
The Indiana Department of Health announced today that 955 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19. That brings to 684,020 the total number of Indiana residents now known to have had the novel coronavirus.
With 12 additional deaths recorded between Jan. 7 and Saturday, 12,617 Hoosiers are confirmed to have died from COVID-19. Another 406 probable deaths have been reported in patients with no positive test on record.
ISDH is reporting a total of 2,865,575 COVID-19 vaccine doses had been administered in Indiana as of Sunday. This includes 1,602,873 first doses and 1,082,702 individuals who are fully vaccinated.
The fully vaccinated number represents individuals who have received a second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines plus those who received the single Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
To schedule a vaccine, visit https://ourshot.in.gov or call 211 if you do not have access to a computer or require assistance.
Saturday, March 27
The Indiana State Department of Health reported Saturday that another 22,760 individuals have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19, bringing the state's total to 1,065,477 people who have received either the single-dose vaccine or the second dose of a two-dose vaccine.
ISDH reported another nine deaths from the virus that occurred between Thursday and Friday. In total, Indiana now has lost 12,605 people to the virus, with another 406 people who died with COVID-19 symptoms but had no positive test on record.
With 993 new confirmed cases Saturday, a total of 683,076 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.
Friday, March 26
State health officials reported 1,136 new COVID-19 cases and 20 deaths, bringing the statewide total to 682,099 total cases and 12,596 deaths since the pandemic started.
Indiana's 7-day positivity rate for all tests sits at 3.4%, while the rate for unique individuals is 9.1%.
More than 2.6 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered, and 1,042,768 Hoosiers are fully vaccinated.
Thursday, March 25
The Indiana State Department of Health reported 977 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, bringing the state's total to 680,998 cases since last March.
With eight additional deaths recorded between Dec. 6, 2020 and Wednesday, Indiana has now lost 12,576 people to the virus. Another 406 probable deaths have been reported in patients who died with no positive test on record.
A total of 2,548,924 doses have been administered in Indiana since late December. This includes 1,530,403 first doses and 1,018,521 individuals who have received a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or the single Johnson & Johnson vaccine and are fully vaccinated as a result.
Wednesday, March 24
Gov. Holcomb and state leaders gave an update on Indiana's response to the pandemic Wednesday afternoon.
He reiterated that while the state's mask mandate will become an advisory on April 6, Hoosiers will still be required to wear masks in all state buildings and facilities and in all vaccination and COVID-19 testing sites until further notice.
Holcomb said the state will hit — if it has not already — 1 million Hoosiers fully vaccinated Wednesday. Holcomb also announced that beginning April 1, Indianapolis Motor Speedway would host additional mass vaccination clinics
Appointments will be open later today on ourshot.in.gov. The first clinic will be April 1-3, then another April 13-18, and another April 24-30. The state expects up to 6,000 Hoosiers to be vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson shot each day at the IMS clinics.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box said Indiana expects to receive 38,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine this week, but regardless of the brand of vaccine you can get, you should get it.
The Indiana State Department of Health reports 976 more cases of COVID-19 and 15 additional deaths. Indiana has recorded a total of 680,046 positive cases and 12,568 confirmed deaths.
A total of 3,222,944 unique individuals have been tested in Indiana, up from 3,221,661 on Tuesday. A total of 8,697,759 tests, including repeat tests for unique individuals, have been reported to the state Department of Health since Feb. 26, 2020.
Tuesday morning, more than 992,000 Hoosiers had been fully vaccinated. Nearly 1.5 million people had received the first dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, while more than 946,000 had received the second dose. In addition, 46,025 Hoosiers had received the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Tuesday, March 23
State officials have announced 701 positive cases, 18 deaths in Indiana.
Gov. Eric Holcomb said Indiana plans to open vaccine eligibility to all Hoosiers ages 16 and older beginning on Mar. 31, provided the state receives a large increase of vaccine.
“As we continue to isolate if you test positive, quarantine if you’re a close contact, and get vaccinated when you’re eligible, the light at the end of the tunnel becomes brighter and brighter,” Gov. Holcomb said. “It’s up to each and every one of us to do our part to stay on our course.”
The governor announced additional mass vaccination clinics will be scheduled for April and state officials will implement a large employer vaccination program.
About 970,00 Hoosiers have been vaccinated; 17% of Hoosiers 16 years old and older have been vaccinated; 27% had at least a first dose
Holcomb also shared mask mandate news.
He said the statewide mask mandate will become a mask advisory on Apr. 6. Those in state buildings and facilities, and in all vaccination and COVID testing sites will be required to wear masks. K-12 schools will continue following state requirements through the end of the school year.
“When I visit my favorite restaurant or conduct a public event, I will continue to wear a mask,” Gov. Holcomb said. “It is the right thing to do. Hoosiers who take these recommended precautions will help us get to what I hope is the tail end of this pandemic.”
Local governments, private businesses and other entities may institute more stringent guidelines. The Indiana Department of Health will continue to provide county level, color coded metrics to provide easy to understand information about whether virus levels are increasing or decreasing locally.
Indiana’s state public health emergency will be renewed for another 30 days. It was set to expire on Mar. 31. Holcomb said it will allow state officials to act quickly if conditions happen to worsen and allows them to access federal monies to support those recovering from the impacts of the pandemic.
Holcomb also said decisions about venue capacity and social gatherings will be left up to local officials.
Customers in restaurants, bars and nightclubs will no longer be required by the state to be seated. However, Holcomb said there still should be 6-feet of spacing between tables and other seated recommended as is spacing between non-household parties.
Overall, Indiana has reported 679,079 COVID-19 cases and 12,553 deaths since last March.
Monday, March 22
Hoosiers 40 and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine starting Monday. Indiana health officials said additional groups under 40 will be added as more vaccines become available.
The Indiana State Department of Health announced 516 positive cases and one death Monday, bringing statewide totals to 678,416 cases and 12,537 deaths.
More than 950,000 Hoosiers are fully vaccinated, and more than 1.4 million Hoosiers have received the first dose of a vaccine. To schedule a vaccine, visit https://ourshot.in.gov.
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