INDIANAPOLIS — This is blog contains daily updates on COVID-19 information for Indiana. The Indiana State Department of Health gives daily updates at noon. Gov. Eric Holcomb and other state officials provide more context every Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 15
The Indiana State Department of Health recorded 6,844 new cases of COVID-19 among Hoosiers on Sunday, bringing the running total to 251,597 total positive cases in the state since March.
Deaths from the virus are up to 4,660 with 22 more that occurred between Thursday and Saturday now recorded. Another 250 probable deaths have been reported among patients who died with COVID-19 symptoms but with no positive test on record.
As of Sunday, 1,938,289 unique individuals have been tested in Indiana, up from 1,917,951 on Saturday. A total of 3,536,082 tests, including repeat tests for unique individuals, have been reported to ISDH since Feb. 26.
Saturday, November 14
The Indiana State Department of health reported a new daily record of 8,451 new cases of COVID-19 Saturday. The total number of Hoosiers who have tested positive during the pandemic is now 244,887, according to the ISDH COVID-19 dashboard.
The 25 additional deaths reported between Sept. 28 and Friday bring the state's total to 4,638 since the pandemic began.
Indiana is averaging nearly as many coronavirus-related deaths now as it did during the spring’s initial surge of cases, with heath officials adding 50 more deaths to the state’s toll Friday.
The new deaths have pushed the state’s moving seven-day average to 40 per day, just short of highest average of 42 a day recorded in late April.
Indiana’s COVID-19 deaths average has tripled since Gov. Eric Holcomb lifted nearly all coronavirus-related restrictions in late September. Holcomb signed a new executive order Friday reinstating limits on crowd sizes for nearly every county across the state, starting Sunday.
Friday, November 13
The Indiana State Department of Health reports 5,708 new cases of COVID-19 and 50 more deaths. In total, Indiana has seen 236,565 cases of the virus and 4,613. There are an additional 250 probable deaths — those doctors believe COVID-19 was part of the cause, but the patient had no positive test on file.
The positivity rate increased slightly to 10.6 percent for all tests between Oct. 31 and Nov. 6.
Hospitalizations decreased slightly from Wednesday to Thursday — from 2,569 to 2,548 — but the number is still nearly twice as high as the peak early on in the pandemic in April.
Thursday, November 12
The Indiana State Department of Health reported yet another record-breaking day of positive COVID-19 cases. There were 6,654 positive cases and 51 more deaths reported Thursday. That brings the totals to 230,965 cases and 4,563 in the state.
There have been a total of 3,370,098 tests administered since the start of the pandemic. Thursday, ISDH said a historical load of negative labs added 2,735 tested individuals and 5,688 total tests administered to the count.
RELATED: Indiana Stage 5 reopening plan to be rolled back as COVID-19 cases surge; here's what it means
The positivity rate for all tests increased to 10.5 percent between Oct. 30 and Nov. 5. For unique individuals, that rate increased to 20.4 percent.
Hospitalizations continue to rise, with Wednesday setting another record of 2,569 Hoosiers being treated for COVID-19 in hospitals. Only 22.3 percent of ICU beds are available in the state. Of the ICU beds in use, COVID-19 patients make up 31 percent.
Wednesday, November 11
Stage 5 reopening roll back
Gov. Eric Holcomb provided an update on the COVID-19 response. He said people are viewing Stage 5 as a reason to act like there is no pandemic.
"Unfortunately too many of us have let our guard down," Holcomb said.
The governor said things are now reaching critical points including: hospitalized patients, new COVID patients being hospitalized, the 7-day positivity rate is more than 10 percent, and hospital staff shortages and illness.
"We must do all we can to protect our hospital capacity," Holcomb said.
Beginning Nov. 15, Holcomb is stepping Indiana back from Stage 5 and signing pandemic requirements for all Hoosiers and restrictions for counties. Those restrictions include social distancing and wearing a mask. Businesses will need to post signs saying masks are required and to encourage social distancing amongst customers.
The governor is asking people to limit or stop visiting family at long-term care facilities. Hoosiers are also encouraged to limit gatherings at home and to try to keep gatherings outside.
For counties in orange, gatherings will be limited at 50 people. Larger events will need approval of the local health department. That includes limiting attendance at school athletic and other events to 25 percent.
For those counties in red, gathering will be limited at 25 people. Gathering with more than 25 people will need approval for the local health department. Local officials can limit hours for bars, nightclubs and restaurants.
These restrictions will be in place for at least the next month.
Dr. Kristina Box said many Indiana hospitals are being overwhelmed and have had to divert patients or get creative with where they treat patients.
The state will make $20 million for local governments to use for compliance efforts including: planning, public awareness, and enforcement. In order to be eligible, the local governments will be asked to support compliance.
The state is still hopeful a limited supply of vaccine will make it to Indiana this month.
"This will be a difficult holiday season for many Hoosiers," Dr. Box said. "It won't look like last year. It can't look like last year."
Additional precautions on the holidays will be released next week.
The Indiana State Department of Health reports a new daily high of 5,156 new cases for a total of 224,374 since the pandemic began.
There were also 31 more deaths from COVID-19 reported bringing the state total to 4,512.
Tuesday, November 10
State health officials announced the most deaths reported in a single day. The Indiana State Department of Health reported 63 new COVID-19 deaths and 4,879 new cases.
The deaths date back to Oct. 14, though it is still the most reported since the start of the pandemic. There are also 250 deaths that are listed as "probable," meaning a physician listed COVID-19 as a contributing factor but there was no positive test on file.
Hospitalizations continue to increase, with officials reporting 2,336 Hoosiers being treated for COVID-19 — the most listed since the start of the pandemic. Around 16% of ventilators are in use by COVID-19 patients and only 30% of ICU beds are available due to 27.8% of beds being used by COVID-19 patients and 42.2% in use by other patients.
Monday, November 9
The Indiana State Department of Health reported 4,213 new COVID-19 cases, totaling more than 214,500 cases in the state since the start of the pandemic.
Officials said 34 people have died, bringing the state's total deaths to 4,418 Hoosiers. The state's 7-day positivity rate has risen to 9.6%.
Hospitalizations continue to rise, with 2,174 COVID-19 patients in the hospital as of Nov. 8. The state reported 30.4% of ICU beds are available, as more than 25% of beds are in use by COVID-19 patients and 44% are in use by other patients.
On Nov. 8, Indiana reported 4,689 new cases of COVID-19. Total positive cases now number 210,374 since the pandemic began. 4,383 Hoosiers have died from virus-related illnesses, according to ISHD.
►Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.