State Health Commissioner Dr Kris Box is hopeful about some of the state’s COVID-19 statistics. During Friday’s COVID-19 press conference, Box noted that the number of patients admitted to the hospital appears to be on a downward trend, going from 170 on April 1 to 71 this past Tuesday.
Continue readingCOVID-19 Study Providing Insight on Recovery Rate
A recent study of the prevalence of COVID-19 in Indiana is helping health officials better understand its recovery rate. During state officials’ COVID-19 briefing Wednesday, State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box said there are typically two ways to determine whether someone’s recovered.
Continue readingHospitals, Health Departments to Get PPE Shipments this Week
Medical professionals who’ve had a hard time getting personal protective equipment are getting some help from the Indiana State Department of Health. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box says 128 hospitals and 90 health departments will get a shipment of supplies this week.
Continue readingStudy Suggests 186,000 Hoosiers Have Had COVID-19
The number of Hoosiers who’ve been infected with COVID-19 could be almost 11 times greater than the official case count. The Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health recently tested more than 4,600 residents, representing the state’s population as a whole.
Continue readingState Health Commissioner Urges Hoosiers to Resume Routine Medical Care, Vaccinations
Those who’ve been putting off routine medical care due to COVID-19 concerns are urged to have it done. During state officials’ press conference Monday, State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box said she doesn’t want people to delay seeing the doctor and ending up with a more serious problem.
Continue readingIndiana Launches Centralized COVID-19 Contact Tracing
Indiana’s centralized COVID-19 contact tracing effort officially began Monday. While it’s mainly been up to local health departments until now, the state has contracted with a company called Maximus to operate a statewide call center and notification system.
Continue readingState Health Commissioner Gives Testing Update
Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box gave a testing update during Friday’s press conference with Governor Eric Holcomb.
Continue readingState Health Commissioner Offers Tips to Prevent Spreading COVID-19
Businesses may be reopening and Hoosiers may be returning to their workplaces, but State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box says residents need to keep working to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Continue readingState Health Commissioner Satisfied with Safety Measures at Logansport Meatpacking Plant
State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box appears to be satisfied with the safety measures in place at the Tyson meat processing plant in Logansport.
Continue readingIndiana Department of Correction to Test All Offenders at Intake Facility for COVID-19
The Indiana Department of Correction says it’ll screen all offenders passing through its intake facility for COVID-19. IDOC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kristen Dauss announced the expanded testing effort during Wednesday’s COVID-19 press conference.
Continue readingState Health Commissioner Recommends That High-Risk Individuals Get Tested for COVID-19
Indiana is once again expanding its COVID-19 testing guidelines. The first 20 testing sites set up through an agreement with OptumServe Health Services opened Wednesday.
Continue readingIndiana to Centralize COVID-19 Tracing
Indiana is centralizing the COVID-19 contact tracing process. Up until now, it’s often been up to county health departments to contact those who test positive, ask them about potential close contacts, and then reach out to those people. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box announced Wednesday that the state is contracting with a company called Maximus to launch a statewide call center and notification system.
Continue readingState Working to Maintain Nation’s Food Supply, While Protecting Meatpacking Plant Workers’ Health
Protecting the health of meat processing plant workers without jeopardizing the nation’s food supply chain is a challenge being faced by state officials. President Trump this week ordered meatpacking plants to stay open. At the same time, the Indiana State Department of Health is dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak at the Tyson plant in Logansport.
Continue readingRandom COVID-19 Testing to Start Saturday, As Part of Statewide Study
Random testing for COVID-19 will begin on Saturday throughout the state. The Indiana State Department of Health has partnered with the Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health on a scientific study to get a clearer picture of COVID-19’s spread.
Continue readingCOVID-19 Outbreak at Logansport Meatpacking Plant Creating Challenges for Farmers
The closure of a Logansport meatpacking plant due to COVID-19 is creating challenges for farmers across the state. Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, who serves as secretary of agriculture and rural development, tells WKVI News that the closure is a huge concern.
Continue readingState Health Commissioner Says More Supplies Needed to Expand COVID-19 Testing
Efforts to expand COVID-19 testing continue to be limited by the availability of supplies. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box has set a goal of being able to take 6,300 tests per day, but so far, testing levels have been well below that.
Continue readingState Health Officials Monitoring Spike in Cass County COVID Cases
A spike in COVID-19 cases in a nearby county is being monitored by state health officials.
Continue readingProtesters Calling for State to Reopen Draw Concerns from Governor
Governor Eric Holcomb says he understands people’s impatience for the state to reopen, but protesting in large crowds outside of the governor’s mansion is not the way to make your voice heard. During Monday’s press conference, Holcomb said he respects Hoosiers’ right to express their opinions but felt the weekend’s protest was not a productive way to do that.
Continue readingGovernor Extends Stay-At-Home Order, Eases Restrictions on Elective Medical Procedures
Indiana’s stay-at-home order is being extended through May 1, but the state is easing its restrictions on elective medical procedures. Governor Eric Holcomb announced the adjustments during Monday’s press conference.
Continue readingState Health Commissioner Shares COVID-19 Hospitalization, Recovery Statistics
More information about what happens to people once they’re diagnosed with COVID-19 is being shared by the Indiana State Department of Health. During Friday’s COVID-19 briefing, State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box said that officials were able to analyze almost 8,000 of the state’s COVID-19 cases.
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