Pulaski County’s first doses of COVID-19 vaccine are expected to arrive Thursday. “It’s not as much as we were hoping, but we’re excited to get it and to get started,” Terri Hansen with the Pulaski County Health Department told the county commissioners Monday.
Continue readingNorth Judson Looking to Provide More COVID-19 Relief to Businesses
More COVID-19 relief could be coming to North Judson businesses. The town council voted Monday to pursue funding from the third round of the state’s COVID-19 Response Program. North Judson was awarded $250,000 during the second round to give grants to local businesses.
Continue readingMarshall County Reports 72nd COVID-19 Death
Another COVID-19 death has been reported in Marshall County. It occurred on December 17, according to Sunday’s update from the Indiana Department of Health. That brings the county’s total death count up to 72.
Continue readingTwo More COVID-19 Deaths Reported in Marshall County
Two more Marshall County residents have died while positive for COVID-19. The deaths occurred on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, according to Saturday’s report from the Indiana Department of Health. They bring the county’s total COVID-19 death count up to 71.
Continue readingMore COVID-19 Deaths Reported in Starke, Marshall Counties
Another COVID-19 death has been added to both Starke and Marshall counties’ counts. A Marshall County resident died on Christmas Eve, according to Friday’s report from the Indiana Department of Health. That brings the county’s total confirmed death count up to 69. Meanwhile, Starke County’s 39th COVID-19 death occurred on Wednesday.
Continue readingIndiana Prepared to Test for New COVID-19 Strain
The Indiana Department of Health is keeping an eye out for the new, more contagious strain of COVID-19. During state officials’ press conference Tuesday, State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box said her department “is appropriately respectful” of the fact that the strain exists and appears to be more infectious.
Continue readingStarke County Reports 38th COVID-19 Death, Second-Highest Single-Day Increase in Cases
Starke County has reported its 38th COVID-19 death. It happened Saturday, according to Thursday’s update from the Indiana Department of Health. Starke County also reported 37 new cases of COVID-19, its second-highest single-day increase of the pandemic. Almost 1,500 Starke County residents have had the coronavirus since the pandemic began.
Continue readingSen. Young Says COVID-19 Relief Bill ‘A Function of Compromise’
The proposed $600 coronavirus stimulus payment was “just right” to get a relief bill passed, according to Senator Todd Young, but President Trump says that figure is “ridiculously low.”
Continue readingGovernor to Keep National Guard in Long-Term Care Facilities, Allow Guardsmen to Administer COVID Vaccine
Not only will Indiana National Guardsmen remain in long-term care facilities through the end of February, but they’ll also be allowed to administer COVID-19 vaccines. The deployment was set to expire at the end of the month, but on Tuesday, Governor Holcomb announced an extension.
Continue readingGetting COVID-19 Relief Could Depend on Mask Enforcement for Knox Businesses
The City of Knox hopes to be able to give more COVID-19 relief to local businesses, but whether they get it may depend on how well they enforce the mask order. Mayor Dennis Estok told the city council Tuesday that he plans to apply for the third round of the state’s COVID-19 Response Program. “I really think in our application that one of the questions that is going to be is, ‘Are you following the guidelines, the mask mandate, the social distancing, and all of that?’” Estok said.
Continue readingState Health Commissioner Admits Software Error Impacted COVID-19 Positivity Rates
Indiana’s state health commissioner is apologizing, after a software error apparently resulted in incorrect COVID-19 positivity rates being reported.
Continue readingLong-Term Care Facility Residents to Start Getting COVID-19 Vaccine Monday
More than 33,000 Hoosiers had gotten their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of Tuesday morning, and thousands more are expected to get it each day. During Tuesday’s COVID-19 briefing, Indiana Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver said the state received 55,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine on Friday and another 39,000 on Monday.
Continue readingHealth Officials Share COVID-19 Safety Tips for Holiday Gatherings
Health officials are urging residents to take steps to avoid spreading COVID-19 to their families this Christmas. During last week’s COVID-19 briefing, State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box said the safest option is to celebrate virtually or with members of your own household.
Continue readingState Health Commissioner Reminds Hoosiers to Follow Through with COVID-19 Restrictions
Hoosiers are being urged to follow through with their counties’ COVID-19 restrictions, even if community spread starts to decrease. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box says her office has talked extensively with local health departments about when they may move to a lower level of restriction, as outlined in the governor’s executive order.
Continue readingState Officials Making Plans for Remaining CARES Act Money
Indiana may end up using much of its remaining COVID-19 relief funding from the federal government to help pay off what it already owes the federal government. This week, state officials committed to using at least $400 million of the remaining $650 million in CARES Act money to replenish the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.
Continue readingIndiana National Guardsmen Receive COVID-19 Vaccine
Among the frontline health care workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine this week were about 200 members of the Indiana National Guard, even though many of them may be leaving the state’s long-term care facilities in the coming weeks.
Continue readingPulaski County Bars, Restaurants Allowed to Reopen Friday
Pulaski County bars and restaurants will be allowed to reopen for inside dining Friday but with strict guidelines. They’ll be limited to 25 customers at a time and must close to the public by 10:00 p.m., according to a Facebook post from Pulaski County Health Department officials.
Continue readingPulaski Commissioners Approve Morgue Usage Fee As COVID-19 Keeps Coroner’s Office Busy
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, state and local officials are making sure they have access to morgue space. Pulaski County Coroner Jon Frain told the county council and commissioners Monday that the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and neighboring counties have asked if they could rent space in Pulaski County’s morgue, if necessary.
Continue readingCOVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Continues in Indiana
Scenes of Hoosier health care workers getting their first doses of COVID-19 vaccine drew an emotional reaction from State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box Wednesday.
Continue readingIndiana Department of Health to Launch Online Contact Tracing Option
Indiana is taking its contact tracing efforts online. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box says, starting this week, Hoosiers will have the option to complete their contact tracing interviews online.
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