INDIANA, USA — 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.
Indiana much like many states are seeing a big surge in coronavirus cases and a high positivity rate. Last week, Governor Eric Holcomb rolled back Phase 5 of reopening.
Holcomb cited several factors surrounding the state's response to the virus reaching critical points including hospitalized patients, new COVID-19 patients and the 7-day positivity rate being more than 10%.
Sunday, November 22
The Indiana State Department of Health reported 48 additional deaths from COVID-19 Sunday, bringing the state's total confirmed deaths to above 5,000 at 5,040. The latest recorded deaths occurred between Oct. 29 and Saturday.
The state was already above the 5,000 mark if presumed deaths were counted, which include Hoosiers who died with COVID-19 symptoms but had no confirmed positive test result.
ISDH reported 6,255 new positive cases, bringing the state's total since March to 295,357.
Saturday, November 21
The Indiana State Department of Health reported 40 additional deaths from the coronavirus on Saturday, bringing the number of Hoosiers who died to 4,992.
The deaths reported Saturday occurred between Tuesday and Friday.
Another 254 probable deaths have been reported based on diagnoses in patients for whom no positive test is on record.
ISDH reported 6,983 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total of positive tests among unique individuals recorded since early March to 289,183.
Friday, November 20
The Indiana State Department of Health reports 6,912 new cases for a total of 282,311.
There have also been 63 more deaths from COVID-19 reported. That brings the state total to 4,952.
Thursday, November 19
The Indiana State Department of Health reports 7,420 new cases for a total of 275,503 since March.
The state also reported 59 more deaths from COVID-19, bringing the total for Indiana to 4,889.
Wednesday, November 18
The state is reporting 6,143 new cases of COVID-19 and 60 more deaths from the virus. That makes a total of 268,222 cases and 4,830 deaths in Indiana since the start of the pandemic.
State health leaders and a quarantined Gov. Eric Holcomb provided an update on the COVID-19 response and guidance for holiday gatherings.
Gov. Holcomb said he and his wife will do the right thing by staying quarantined and they will get tested later this week. Contact tracing is being handled by the ISDH. That tracing of the infected security staff identified 20 close contacts that needed to quarantine, including the governor.
The governor said he is worried about the rising cases and the capacity in hospitals to handle the surge in cases. He said that with hospital staff getting ill, it will only make resources tighter. The death rate is already on the rise and the key will be getting through the next few months until there is a vaccine, according to the governor.
The state has 21 counties in red, one county in yellow and 72 in orange and only. In the number of cases per 1,000 residents would put the entire state in red. Cases are now at the highest level since the start of the pandemic.
New cases are trending towards to the 18-30 age group. The state is concerned about students returning home for the holiday and recommends students get tested first.
Holiday guidance
The state suggests people avoid travel and not celebrate Thanksgiving as a large group.
- Visit someone at a long-term care facility from outside or virtually.
- Decrease exposures by avoiding indoor activities as much as possible.
- Wear a mask at all times - even indoors.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Physically distance as much as possible.
- Screen anyone planning to attend.
- Clean surfaces, especially common surfaces, frequently.
Vaccine update
The state has 50 hospitals currently ready to receive and administer the vaccine.
Tuesday, November 17
State health officials reported 5,541 new COVID-19 cases and 84 additional deaths Tuesday, both an increase from Monday. The state's 7-day positivity rate has also increased to 12%.
More than 2,950 COVID-19 patients in hospitals across Indiana. ICU bed availability continues to decrease, with only 25% of beds available and around 37% holding COVID-19 patients.
Also on Tuesday, bars and restaurants in Floyd County are facing new restrictions. The Floyd County Health Department has ordered all restaurants to decrease to 75% capacity through Dec. 21. Additionally, all bars must close at 10 p.m. local time every evening.
Monday, November 16
The Indiana State Department of Health is reporting 5,218 new positive COVID-19 cases and 26 additional deaths. The state's 7-day positivity rate is at 11.7% and hospitalizations continue to rise.
As of Monday morning, 2,768 Hoosiers are hospitalized with COVID-19. Around 26% of ICU beds are available, with more than a third of beds being used by COVID-19 patients.
Since March, Indiana has recorded 256,744 positive cases and 4,686 deaths.