State Health Officials Urge Vaccination amid Ongoing Hospital Challenges

While state health officials are optimistic with the declines in COVID-19 cases, slow vaccination uptake and the ongoing impact on hospitals remain concerns. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box says COVID hospitalizations are down, but the number of Hoosiers hospitalized overall is up, as hospitals resume other types of in-patient care.

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Gov. Holcomb Establishes Commission to Address Public Health Challenges

Gov. Holcomb announces a new Public Health Commission during a press conference Wednesday.

Improving Indiana’s public health structure is the goal of a new commission announced by Governor Holcomb Wednesday. Over the next year, the 15-member commission will look at the strengths and weaknesses of the current health system, analyzing funding, staffing challenges, and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Few Local COVID-19 Cases Reported as State Health Commissioner Touts Vaccines’ Effectiveness

State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box and Indiana Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver hold a press conference on Jul. 9.

Just a few new COVID-19 cases were reported over the weekend. Pulaski County had two, and Marshall County had one, according to Monday’s update from the Indiana Department of Health. No new COVID-19 deaths were reported in Indiana over the weekend.

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State Health Commissioner Preparing for Surge in Delta Variant while Local COVID Cases Remain Low

State Health Commission Dr. Kris Box and Indiana Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver hold a press conference on Jul. 9.

COVID-19 cases remain low in the local area, but state health officials are keeping an eye on slight upticks in Indiana’s positivity rate and hospitalizations. Marshall County had two new cases in Friday’s report from the Indiana Department of Health, while Pulaski County had one.

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Governor, State Health Commissioner Reflect on COVID-19 Response

Gov. Holcomb and State Health Commissioner Dr. Box discuss the challenges of the past year and their hopes for the future during a press conference on Mar. 31.

Leading Indiana through one of the most challenging years in recent history has brought opportunities for inspiration for Governor Eric Holcomb. During last week’s COVID-19 press conference, Holcomb said he doesn’t let the challenge anchor him to a place of despair.

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COVID-19 Variants Picking Up Steam, According to State Health Commissioner

Indiana’s state health commissioner is warning Hoosiers not to behave as if the pandemic is over. “We have said before that we are in a race between the vaccine and the variants. Unfortunately, right now, the variants are picking up steam,” Dr. Kris Box said during Wednesday’s press conference. “Indiana has now reported 137 cases of the U.K. B.1.1.7 variant.”

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