Indiana’s tighter COVID-19 restrictions officially take effect Sunday. The new executive order from Governor Eric Holcomb removes the option for local health departments to allow gatherings larger than 50 people in counties coded orange and 25 people in counties coded red.
Continue readingGovernor Tightening Restrictions on Social Gatherings, Directing Hospitals to Postpone Non-Emergent Procedures
Governor Holcomb is tightening restrictions on social gatherings. Starting this weekend, event organizers will no longer be allowed to seek permission to hold events larger than the limits outlined in the state’s county metrics. That’s 50 people in counties coded orange and 25 people in counties coded red.
Continue readingNational Guardsmen Adjusting to Long-Term Care Facility Deployments
Hundreds of Indiana National Guardsmen are currently deployed in the state’s long-term care facilities, as part of the fight against COVID-19. Staff Sgt. Maira Beltran is one of them. She had the chance to discuss her experience at the Morrison Woods Health Campus in Muncie during Governor Holcomb’s COVID-19 press conference Wednesday.
Continue readingRensselaer Business Gets Federal Certification for N95 Masks
Millions of high-grade face masks will soon be made in Jasper County. Indiana Face Mask has gotten its federal certification to make N95 masks, according to Governor Eric Holcomb.
Continue readingGovernor Holcomb Defends Use of Executive Orders in COVID-19 Response
Governor Holcomb is defending his use of executive orders in the fight against COVID-19. “Ultimately, in a public health emergency, whether it’s funding or agency decisions, the buck stops on my desk and that’s my responsibility,” he said during last week’s COVID-19 press conference.
Continue readingState Helping Enforce COVID-19 Restrictions but Calling on Local Governments to Take the Lead
Indiana is helping to crack down on violations of COVID-19 restrictions, but is encouraging local health departments to “take the lead.”
Continue readingGovernor Announces Appointments for Secretary of Education, Equity Chief
Governor Holcomb announced his appointments for two new positions Thursday. He’s picked his senior education advisor, Dr. Katie Jenner, to serve as Indiana’s first secretary of education. She replaces State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jennifer McCormick, after the elected office was changed to an appointed position.
Continue readingGovernor Holcomb Not Planning to Change COVID Restrictions Yet, As Hospitals Continue to Struggle
Indiana’s hospitals continue to struggle, amid the COVID-19 surge. The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state surpassed 3,000 for the first time this week.
Continue readingGovernor and First Lady ‘In Good Health,’ Will Be Tested for COVID-19 Later this Week
Governor Eric Holcomb says he and his wife Janet remain in good health, after several members of their security detail tested positive for COVID-19. During Wednesday’s COVID-19 briefing, the governor said by phone that they’re following the directions of the state health commissioner and hunkering down.
Continue readingGovernor Holcomb in Quarantine after Members of Security Detail Test Positive for COVID-19
Governor Eric Holcomb is in quarantine, after several members of his security detail have reportedly tested positive for COVID-19. A statement from the Governor’s Office Tuesday says Governor Holcomb and First Lady Janet Holcomb are considered close contacts, and State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box has advised them to quarantine.
Continue readingHoosiers Urged to Adjust Holiday Plans to Slow Spread of COVID-19
State officials are urging Hoosiers to adjust their holiday plans to avoid the spread of COVID-19. During last week’s COVID-19 press conference, Governor Holcomb warned that the virus is often spread when family members and friends let their guards down.
Continue readingNew COVID-19 Restrictions to Take Effect Sunday
Indiana’s new restrictions on gatherings officially take effect Sunday morning at 12:01. An executive order outlining the new county-based measures and restrictions was signed by Governor Eric Holcomb Friday.
Continue readingChurches to Be Exempt from New Restrictions on Gatherings
Indiana’s new restrictions on gatherings will not apply to churches. Governor Eric Holcomb said Wednesday that churches will continue to be exempt as they were in the Back on Track plan, but he still urges congregations to take precautions.
Continue readingIndiana to Make $20 Million Available to Help Local Governments Slow COVID-19 Spread
As Indiana tightens COVID-19-related restrictions, it’s also providing funding to help local governments enforce them. Governor Eric Holcomb announced Wednesday that $20 million is being made available for enforcement and mitigation efforts.
Continue readingNew Restrictions on Social Gatherings to Take Effect this Weekend
New restrictions on social gatherings will take effect this weekend, amid what Governor Holcomb is calling a second surge of cases. “So beginning November 15 and for the next month, I’ll sign an executive order that will implement pandemic requirements for all Hoosiers and targeted restrictions for counties that are in the orange and red status,” Holcomb announced during a press conference Wednesday.
Continue readingState Officials Don’t Expect In-Person Voting to Cause a Spike in COVID-19 Cases
State officials say they don’t expect in-person voting to lead to a spike in COVID-19 cases. Several counties reported a large voter turnout, and many places had long lines, especially during early voting.
Continue readingGovernor Holcomb Denies Shutdown Rumors
Governor Holcomb says he has no plans to shut down the state. He began his weekly COVID-19 briefing Wednesday by dispelling a couple rumors that had begun spreading in the buildup to the election.
Continue readingGovernor Extends Public Health Emergency Declaration to Dec. 1
Indiana’s public health emergency declaration has been extended for another month. In an executive order Friday, Governor Eric Holcomb officially extended the declaration until December 1.
Continue readingOfficials Break Ground on Commuter Rail Expansion
Efforts to expand commuter rail in Northwest Indiana took a major step forward Wednesday. Officials broke ground on the West Lake Corridor project. The eight-mile branch off of the existing South Shore Line would link Dyer and Munster to Chicago.
Continue readingNational Guard to Provide Assistance to Health Care Providers in Long-Term Care Facilities
National Guard units will be deployed to a few long-term care facilities in Indiana to assist health care providers to slow the spread of COVID-19.
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