Lawmakers are debating whether to give the General Assembly more opportunities to cancel a governor’s public emergency order.
The legislation, presented Tuesday in a House committee, is a direct reaction to some lawmakers’ frustration with Gov. Eric Holcomb during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under current law, the governor can declare a public emergency – like the health emergency during the pandemic – for 30 days. There’s no limit on how many times it can be renewed; Holcomb has done it 10 times since March.
Those declarations trigger broad authority for the governor to act. Holcomb has used such powers to, for instance, issue the Stay-At-Home order early in the pandemic, as well as impose restrictions on businesses and limit public gatherings.
Health Officials Identify United Kingdom COVID-19 Strain In Indiana
Justin Hicks/IPB News
The Indiana Department of Health announced Monday a new strain of COVID-19 – which had previously been identified in the United Kingdom – is also in Indiana.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box said the new strain appears to be more easily spread, but it does not appear to be more deadly.
“It’s more important than ever that Hoosiers continue to wear their masks, practice social distancing, maintain good hygiene and get vaccinated when they are eligible,” Box said in a statement.
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Second vaccine on its way, but impact won t be felt for months
Even though clinics are vaccinating people by the thousands and many more each day, it could be months before there is a noticeable impact on a raging pandemic. Author: Rich Van Wyk Updated: 1:37 AM EST December 22, 2020
INDIANAPOLIS More help is on the way to hospitals and long term health care facilities battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
A second vaccine is on the way.
The Moderna product received federal approval over the weekend. Trucks started rolling Monday morning. They can t arrive soon enough to clinics who don t know how much they are getting and when they will get it.
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INDIANAPOLIS More than 230 nursing homes from across Indiana are signed up for a program to assist facilities in dealing with COVID-19 and its challenges. The Indiana Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network (NHCAN) Extension of Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) helps nursing homes improve COVID-19 preparedness, safety and infection control.
Indiana is among the first states to launch the program.
COVID-19 is a serious challenge for nursing homes. As of Fall 2020, nearly one-quarter of the known COVID-19 deaths in the United States have been nursing home residents and staff.
The 16-week ECHO program offers weekly calls for nursing home leaders to hear from subject matter experts and to discuss their own experiences with each other.