INDIANAPOLIS —
Sunday, May 17
Noon
The Indiana State Department of Health confirmed 11 additional deaths between May 14 and 16. Indiana now has 1,607 total deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Indiana has 27,778 total cases, under 15.7% of the 177,243 total tests recorded.
Another 144 probable deaths have been reported based on clinical diagnoses in patients for whom no positive test is on record, following a correction to the previous day’s total. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days.
Deaths continue to hit older Hoosiers particularly hard, with 9 of 10 recorded deaths occurring with people aged 60 and over.
Saturday, May 16
Noon
As of Friday at midnight, the Indiana State Department of Health is reporting a total of 656 new positive COVID-19 cases in the state, as well as 46 new deaths. A total of 171,358 Indiana residents have been tested for COVID-19 and around 84% of those tests have been negative.
A total of 1,596 deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported in the state.
Gleaners Food Bank is hosting a drive-through food distribution event at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Saturday.
The food distribution runs until 3 p.m. Cars should enter the Fairgrounds from Gate 6 on Fall Creek Parkway. People without cars may also walk up to receive a box of food.
Friday, May 15
2:30 p.m.
The Indiana State Department of Health analyzed the COVID-19 cases of 25,832 Hoosiers.
More than 7,000 of those visited an emergency department and 4,877 were hospitalized.
Of the 4,877 hospitalized, 23 percent (1,100) patients needed care in the ICU.
Of all those hospitalized, 72 percent were discharged, 11 percent are likely still hospitalized and 17 percent have died.
Since April 15, more than 100,000 Hoosiers have been tested for COVID-19.
In the six weeks, prior (Feb. 29 to April 14) just under 59,000 people were tested.
More than 170 testing sites are available now in Indiana and can be found by clicking here.
Contact tracing is running ahead of schedule with 500 workers already hired.
The PPE Marketplace for small businesses has received 20,000 orders and already shipped 10,000 orders. An anticipated 12,000 orders will go out next week.
Eligible businesses are those that:
- Are registered to do business in Indiana
- Employing less than 150 associates
- An organization that must use PPE to reopen
Orders for business and nonprofit organizations can be made by clicking here.
All election offices for the June 2 primary election will have proper PPE for workers and sanitation supplies for machines and common areas.
Voters are strongly urged to wear their own masks and gloves at the polls.
In 2016, the state saw 53,818 absentee ballots. To date this year, more than 330,000 absentee ballots have been filed.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is May 21. Absentee ballots must be received by the county clerk by Tuesday, June 2.
Absentee ballots can be requested by mail, fax, email, or online and you can find that information here.
Early voting is from May 26 - June 1.
Unemployment claims filed by Hoosiers last week totaled 30,691. That's the sixth week of numbers declining since the high for the week ending March 28 that saw 139,174 claims.
In the month of April, $766.7 million in unemployment insurance payments were made. An additional $620.9 million was paid out in May. Since March, Hoosiers have received $1.4 billion in unemployment insurance payments.
You can file for unemployment by clicking here.
Noon
The Indiana State Department of Health is reporting that more than 26,000 Hoosiers have tested positive for COVID-19.
On Friday, there were 614 new confirmed cases of the virus and an additional 42 deaths.
More than 1,500 Hoosiers have died from novel coronavirus and over 160,000 people in the state have been tested for the virus.
Mayor Joe Hogsett said Marion County will begin portions of "Stage 2" of Gov. Holcomb's five stages to get Indiana back on track beginning Friday, May 15. The following changes will be implemented:
- Removing restrictions on in-person public gatherings, including religious services, from 10 to 25 people.
- Allowing for qualified reopening of nonessential retail outlets at 50 percent capacity. The same goes for shopping malls.
- Allowing for liquor stores to reopen at 50 percent capacity.
- Offering curbside pickup at libraries.
Starting Friday, May 22, Marion County will be permitting in-person dining at restaurants but only in outdoor seating and with strict social distancing guidelines. In-person dining inside a restaurant will continue to be restricted.
Non-essential industrial and manufacturing must remain closed, and hair and nail salons must also remain closed.
Walmart is partnering with eTrueNorth to provide coronavirus testing to anyone who meets CDC, state, and local guidelines on who should be tested.
Testing will be available at the following six locations:
- Indianapolis Walmart, 7245 Us 31 S, Indianapolis, IN 46227
- Indianapolis Walmart, 3221 W 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46268
- Indianapolis Walmart, 7325 N Keystone Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46240
- Camby Walmart, 8191 Upland Bend, Camby, IN 46113
- Greenwood Walmart, 1133 N Emerson Ave Rd, Greenwood, IN 46143
- Paoli Walmart, 735 N Gospel St, Paoli, IN 47454
The six sites will be open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays beginning May 15 from 7 a.m. - 9 a.m., weather permitting.
Appointments must be made through eTrueNorth’s online portal at www.DoINeedaCOVID19test.com, which will screen individuals to ensure they meet CDC eligibility for testing.
Click here for more information.
Thursday, May 14
Noon
Indiana has 634 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, totaling 26,053. ISDH reported 26 more Hoosiers have died from the virus. Total deaths have reached more than 1,500.
Walmart is partnering with eTrueNorth to provide coronavirus testing to anyone who meets CDC, state, and local guidelines on who should be tested.
Testing will be available at the following six locations:
- Indianapolis Walmart, 7245 Us 31 S, Indianapolis, IN 46227
- Indianapolis Walmart, 3221 W 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46268
- Indianapolis Walmart, 7325 N Keystone Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46240
- Camby Walmart, 8191 Upland Bend, Camby, IN 46113
- Greenwood Walmart, 1133 N Emerson Ave Rd, Greenwood, IN 46143
- Paoli Walmart, 735 N Gospel St, Paoli, IN 47454
The six sites will be open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays beginning May 15 from 7 a.m. - 9 a.m., weather permitting.
Appointments must be made through eTrueNorth’s online portal at www.DoINeedaCOVID19test.com, which will screen individuals to ensure they meet CDC eligibility for testing.
Click here for more information.
Nearly 3 million laid-off workers applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week as the viral outbreak led more companies to slash jobs even though most states have begun to let some businesses reopen under certain restrictions.
Roughly 36 million people have now filed for jobless aid in the two months since the coronavirus first forced millions of businesses to close their doors and shrink their workforces, the Labor Department said Thursday.
Wednesday, May 13
2:30 p.m.
A study on the prevalence of COVID-19 in Indiana and the fatality rate is showing some surprising numbers.
The study did a random sample to determine a scientifically accurate idea of how COVID-19 is affecting Hoosiers.
The study found only about 2.8 percent of Hoosiers are or have been infected with COVID-19. That comes out to about 186,000 of the state's 6.7 million people.
When assessing the percentage of Hoosiers that have died from COVID-19, the study found the fatality rate of the virus is about 0.58 percent. That's nearly six times higher than the flu at 0.1 percent.
The study found the prevalence of the virus among the state's White population at 2.5 percent and 4.8 percent for non-white.
The good news in the study is that 44.8 percent of Hoosiers infected with COVID-19 showed no symptoms.
The state has now received two shipments of remdesivir.
Remdesivir is being tested as a specific treatment for COVID-19.
The first went to a hospital in northern Indiana to help with a hot spot there.
The second shipment is going to hospitals around Indiana dealing with the most severe cases.
ISDH reports that the state now has 170 testing sites available to Hoosiers including more than two dozen added on Wednesday.
To find a testing site, click here.
Noon
Indiana has a total of 25,473 COVID-19 cases, as ISDH reported 409 new cases in the state on Wednesday.
The Department also reported 38 more Hoosiers have died from the virus. More than 150,000 Hoosiers have been tested for the virus.
- 1,482 Total deaths in Indiana from COVID-19
- 4,259 New Tests
Mayor Joe Hogsett and Dr. Virginia Caine of the Marion County Public Health Department are providing an update on Marion County's stay-at-home order.
Mayor Hogsett said Marion County will begin portions of "Stage 2" of Gov. Holcomb's five stages to get Indiana back on track beginning Friday, May 15. The following changes will be implemented:
- Removing restrictions on in-person public gatherings, including religious services, from 10 to 25 people.
- Allowing for qualified reopening of nonessential retail outlets at 50 percent capacity. The same goes for shopping malls.
- Allowing for liquor stores to reopen at 50 percent capacity.
- Offering curbside pickup at libraries.
Starting Friday, May 22, Marion County will be permitting in-person dining at restaurants but only in outdoor seating and with strict social distancing guidelines. In-person dining inside a restaurant will continue to be restricted.
Non-essential industrial and manufacturing must remain closed, and hair and nail salons must also remain closed.
On April 30, Mayor Hogsett and Dr. Caine announced a decision to maintain local stay-at-home restrictions in Marion County through May 15.
As part of "Stage 2," restaurants and personal services across the state — except in Cass, Lake and Marion counties — were allowed to reopen Monday, May 11 with certain guidelines.
People who want to get their coronavirus stimulus checks sooner rather than later, better act now.
That's the urgent guidance coming from the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service. The federal agencies encouraged anyone who still hasn't received their stimulus payment to sign-up for direct deposit using the Get My Payment tool by noon on Wednesday, May 13.
Approximately 130 million people have already received the one-time economic impact payments stemming from the CARES Act, but millions are still waiting for their money.
According to the Social Security Administration, SSI recipients will get their stimulus payments Wednesday, May 13.
This is directly from the SSA page:
SSI recipients who did not file a 2019 and 2018 return and who do not have a representative payee should receive their electronic payment from the IRS by May 13 by direct deposit or to their Direct Express card if they did not use the IRS’ Non-Filer Tool.
If you used the IRS’ Non-Filer Tool, you will receive your payment by May 13 to the non-Direct Express bank account you may have provided.
The IRS will begin mailing paper checks on May 15 to SSI recipients who receive their monthly SSI payment by paper check, and to SSI recipients who used the IRS’ Non-Filer Tool but left the bank account information empty. They will not consider economic impact payments as income for SSI recipients, and the payments are excluded from resources for 12 months.
A new clinic opens Wednesday, May 13 in Westfield's Grand Park in the Event Center via Door 16.
The testing clinic will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. until further notice.
The test is free but if you have insurance, you are asked to bring your card. You'll complete an assessment and register before the test.
There are 130 appointments available each day.
Click here for information or call (888) 634-1116.
Tuesday, May 12
Noon
More than 500 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the state, bringing the total to 25,176.
An additional 33 deaths were also reported with that total equaling 1,444. More than 150,000 Hoosiers have been tested for the virus.
Monday, May 11
2:30 p.m.
The ISDH is reporting an increase in testing to nearly 6,700 Hoosiers in one day. This number is in line with its goal of increased testing as the state reopens.
With the expansion of testing, ISDH reports it is seeing a positivity rate of 17 percent.
Contact tracing is increasing with 325 people hired toward the 500 goal.
Phase 1 started May 11 for 21 counties and Phase 2 begins May 18 for the remaining counties.
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office reports Monday that there has been an increase of COVID-19 positive tests in the Johnson County Jail.
The original four cases have now jumped to 23 inmates testing positive, out of a jail population of 300.
Of the 33 inmates recently tested, 23 tested positive, nine were negative, and one is pending. Four inmates refused the test. A total of 30 jail employees have been tested with five testing positive, according to the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.
The sheriff’s office says it is working with the local health department and the ISDH COVID-19 Strike Team to complete tests of all inmates as well as the rest of our jail staff.
"The Sheriff’s Office is taking every precaution to keep inmates separated and quarantined and are utilizing the jail’s limited available space to its fullest efficiency," the sheriff's office said in a release. "[...] Our own medical unit is working diligently during this time and also communicating directly with those governmental health officials."
Noon
The Indiana State Department of Health reported 511 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the state's total to 24,627 since the pandemic began.
With 32 new deaths reported between April 24 and Mother's Day, 1,411 Hoosiers have died from the new coronavirus.
Of the 146,688 total tests recorded, 16.8% have come back positive for COVID-19.
As part of Gov. Eric Holcomb's five stages to get Indiana back on track, restaurants and personal services across the state — except in Cass, Lake and Marion counties — are now allowed to reopen with certain guideline
Here's what is opening Monday, May 11 in Indiana:
- Personal services, such as hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, spas, and tattoo parlors may reopen by appointment only with operational limitations. Employees must wear face coverings, work stations must be spaced to meet social distancing guidelines, and other requirements must be met. Customers should wear face coverings to the extent possible.
- Restaurants and bars that serve food may open at 50% capacity with operational limitations. Bar seating will be closed with no live entertainment. Servers and kitchen staff must wear face coverings.
- State government executive branch offices will begin limited public services, and employees will begin to return to offices in small waves.
- Boating is permitted, but boaters must follow social distancing guidelines
- Visitors to beaches and shorelines must adhere to the social gathering policy and social distancing guidelines.
Gyms, fitness centers, sports venues, bars and nightclubs, tennis courts, playgrounds, basketball courts, casinos, campgrounds, and K-12 facilities and activities remain closed.
RELATED: Governor Holcomb details plan to reopen Indiana in 5 stages amid COVID-19 crisis
If key principles of health remain positive over the next few weeks, Stage 3 may begin May 24.
The 25th anniversary of Indy's Irish Fest has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
"We make this decision with heavy hearts, but we believe that this decision is in the best interest of the health, welfare, and safety of our festival attendees, volunteers, vendors, entertainers, and the community at large," a release from Irish Fest says. "While our mission has always been to preserve and promote Irish culture through the showcase of the brilliant music, dance, history, culture, food, and drink that represents Ireland, the safety of those involved is our highest priority."
Because Irish Fest is so planning-heavy, the event will not be rescheduled nor postponed this year.
Tickets purchased during our March 2020 promotion will be honored for the 2021 Indy Irish Festival.
For those who do not want their tickets passed to 2021, you can:
- Donate the money to the Indy Irish Festival to assist in continuing our mission.
- Receive a refund for the cost of the ticket(s)
If you do not want your tickets honored in 2021, email your preference toirishinfo@indyirishfest.com.
Indiana Department of Natural Resources resume entrance fees and reopens riding trails and restrooms.
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