New COVID-19 cases are in the single digits in local counties. Marshall County had five new cases for a total of 5,456, according to Sunday’s report from the Indiana Department of Health. Pulaski County had two new cases for a new total of 1,078. Starke County added one more case, pushing the total to 1,900.
Continue readingNumber of Hoosiers Fully Vaccinated Surpasses Number of COVID-19 Cases
A year after Indiana reported its first COVID-19 case, the number of Hoosiers fully vaccinated against the virus has now surpassed the number of cases. Almost 678,000 Hoosiers are now considered fully vaccinated, according to Saturday’s report from the Indiana Department of Health. More than 1.1 million have gotten at least one dose.
Continue readingOne Year after COVID-19’s Arrival, State Officials Are Cautiously Optimistic
Today marks one year since Indiana reported its first case of COVID-19. It was on the morning of Friday, March 6, 2020 when state officials announced that a Marion County resident who had recently traveled to Boston had tested positive for the coronavirus. A week later, schools began to close, and a couple weeks after that, Indiana was under a stay-at-home order.
Continue readingGov. Holcomb Gets COVID-19 Vaccine
Governor Eric Holcomb got his COVID-19 vaccine Friday. The governor joined a number of other elected officials in getting the shot at the drive-through mass vaccination site set up at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Continue readingMore New COVID-19 Cases Reported As Vaccinations Continue
New COVID-19 cases continue to be reported in Marshall, Starke, and Pulaski counties. Marshall County had another nine, while Starke and Pulaski counties each had two, according to Friday’s update from the Indiana Department of Health.
Continue readingGov. Holcomb Sticking with Mask Order As Some States Lift Theirs
While some states are lifting their mask mandates, Governor Holcomb wants Indiana to continue on its current path. “In regards to Texas and Mississippi . . . good on them,” Holcomb said during Wednesday’s COVID-19 press conference. “They’ve got great leaders. But I’m looking at very local information. I’m very Indiana-centric about this, and I’m really happy about the path that we’re on to get to that light at the end of the tunnel.”
Continue readingWith COVID-19 Variants Looming, Health Officials Work to Address Vaccine Hesitancy
Health officials want to vaccinate people as soon as possible, but some Hoosiers remain hesitant. “We are in a race between the vaccine and the variants, and we want the vaccine to win,” Indiana Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver said during Wednesday’s COVID-19 press conference.
Continue readingTeachers to Be Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine under Federal but not State Guidelines
Indiana teachers will soon be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine, but how exactly they’ll be able to do that is complicated. “We received word from the federal government that they were going to provide doses to the federal pharmacy program for teachers to become prioritized across the country, obviously, including here in the State of Indiana,” Governor Holcomb said during Wednesday’s COVID-19 press conference.
Continue readingIndiana Again Expands COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility
Indiana has expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to any Hoosier age 50 and older. Governor Holcomb announced the expansion during a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
Continue readingCOVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Expands, Daily COVID-19 Update
The Indiana Department of Health has expanded the COVID-19 eligibility to Hoosiers 55 to 59. Residents ages 55 and older can make an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine by visiting https://ourshot.in.gov or by calling 211.
Continue readingState Officials Defending Age-Based Vaccine Rollout amid Calls for Teacher Vaccination
There’s still no word on when teachers may become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Indiana is using an age-based approach to the vaccine rollout, with the only exceptions being health care workers, first responders, and now individuals with specific medical conditions.
Continue readingJohnson & Johnson Vaccine Could Arrive in Indiana Next Week
A third COVID-19 vaccine could arrive in Indiana as soon as next week. An emergency use authorization for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is currently under consideration with the FDA.
Continue readingState to Withhold COVID-19 Vaccine from Clinics That Repeatedly Ignore Eligibility Rules
Vaccination clinics that repeatedly ignore the state’s eligibility rules will stop getting doses, according to State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box.
Continue readingGovernor to Extend COVID-19 Restrictions by another Month
Indiana’s current COVID-19 restrictions will remain in place for another 30 days. During his weekly press conference Wednesday, Governor Eric Holcomb said he plans to extend both his executive order and the public health emergency declaration. “We have made remarkable progress in relatively a short period of time,” Holcomb said. “This is not a ‘mission accomplished’ moment.”
Continue readingIndiana Department of Health Expands COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility
The Indiana Department of Health expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility Tuesday morning to Indiana residents over the age of 60.
Continue readingState Health Officials Seeking Guidance on Easing Long-Term Care Visitation Restrictions
When long-term care facility visitation is able to get back to normal will depend on more federal guidance. Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dan Rusyniak says indoor visitation is currently allowed in facilities that haven’t had any new cases in the past 14 days, as long as the seven-day positivity rate is under 10 percent in the county.
Continue readingAnother 35 COVID-19 Deaths Reported in Indiana
Another 35 Hoosiers have died while positive for COVID-19, according to Sunday’s update from the Indiana Department of Health. That brings the total to 11,947 or 12,372 if probable deaths are included. The newly-reported deaths took place over the past several weeks, with one dating back to December. Another 888 positive cases were reported, with the state total now approaching 656,000.
Continue readingStarke, Pulaski Counties Each Report Four New COVID-19 Cases
The number of new COVID-19 cases has ticked slightly higher. Another seven cases were reported in Marshall County, according to Saturday’s report from the Indiana Department of Health. Starke and Pulaski counties each had four new cases.
Continue readingState Health Commissioner Discusses Double-Masking
Double-masking may be uncomfortable, but it’s still a good idea if you or someone you live with is at high risk of COVID-19. That’s according to State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box.
Continue readingFSSA Announces Partnership to Vaccinate Hoosiers with Developmental Disabilities
An effort to help Hoosiers with developmental disabilities get the COVID-19 vaccine gets underway Monday.
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