The COVID-19 Delta variant is taking hold and Indiana Department of Health officials still strongly recommend that Hoosiers get vaccinated and take steps necessary to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Continue readingIndiana Hopes to Vaccinate Frontline Health Care Workers, Long-Term Care Residents by End of Year
Indiana’s frontline health care workers and long-term care facility residents could be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of the year. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box said Wednesday that both Pfizer and Moderna have now applied for an FDA emergency use authorization, and Indiana is preparing to receive limited supplies as early as mid-December.
Continue readingCOVID-19 Vaccine Preparations Continue
State health officials continue preparing for the arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine. Indiana Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver noted Wednesday that Pfizer reported that its vaccine is about 95-percent effective, and they’re hearing similar results from the Moderna vaccine trials.
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 readingEli Lilly’s COVID-19 Treatment Making Its Way to Patients, Vaccine Preparations Continue
A new COVID-19 treatment is starting to make its way to Indiana patients. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box says Eli Lilly got an FDA emergency use authorization for its antibody treatment on Monday, and the first two patients were treated at a Jeffersonville hospital on Tuesday.
Continue readingState Health Officials Still Unsure of COVID-19 Vaccine Timeline
State health officials are making sure they’re ready for a COVID-19 vaccine to arrive in mid-November, but whether it will actually get here by then remains to be seen. During Wednesday’s COVID-19 briefing, Indiana Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver said the state’s been asking hospital systems to help identify potential distribution sites.
Continue readingLess Access to COVID-19 Testing May Lead to Higher Positivity Rates in Rural Counties
Less access to COVID-19 testing may be leading to higher positivity rates in rural areas. Indiana Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver says that if a county only has one testing site, people may be more likely to wait until they have noticeable symptoms.
Continue readingIndiana National Guard, ‘Reserve Workforce’ to Provide Help to Long-Term Care Facilities
Indiana is sending the National Guard to long-term care facilities to help with COVID-19 protocols. Indiana Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver says Guard members will help with testing and reporting, so that regular staff can focus on caring for residents.
Continue readingIndiana Submits Draft COVID-19 Vaccination Plan to CDC
A COVID-19 vaccine is still months away, but Indiana Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver says health officials are making sure they’ll be ready.
Continue readingGov. Holcomb Likely to Keep Mask Mandate for Foreseeable Future But Hopes to Avoid Stay-At-Home Restrictions
Hoosiers will likely be required to wear face masks for the foreseeable future, but Governor Holcomb is hesitant to reinstate stay-at-home restrictions, even as COVID-19 cases increase. During state officials’ press conference Wednesday, Indiana Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver noted that there are now twice as many Hoosiers hospitalized with COVID-19 than there were in late June or early July.
Continue readingState Health Commissioner Continues Recovering from COVID-19
Indiana’s state health commissioner says her experience with COVID-19 demonstrates how big of a difference the proper precautions can make. Dr. Kris Box, who’s currently quarantined after testing positive, gave an update by phone during state officials’ COVID-19 press conference Wednesday.
Continue readingDr. Weaver Explains Indiana Department of Health Color-Coded COVID Spread Maps
It was announced Wednesday that Starke County, Marshall County and Pulaski County fall under different color-coded areas on a map that focuses on community spread of COVID-19. All were in blue at one point, but community spread has increased. The map is updated by the Department of Health each week so local officials can make plans on how to slow the spread of COVID-19 in each community.
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