New strain of COVID-19 found in Indiana (Source: Live 5/File) By FOX19 Digital Staff | January 11, 2021 at 12:39 PM EST - Updated January 11 at 1:33 PM
INDIANAPOLIS (FOX19) - The Indiana State Department of Health says a new strain of COVID-19 that is more easily spread has now been identified in the Hoosier state.
The strain is the same one that was found in Britain. Health officials say it does not cause more severe infections.
“It’s common for viruses to mutate, and we are seeing that occur with COVID-19,” said Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box. “Because this strain of the virus can be transmitted more easily, 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.”
INDIANAPOLIS — Nearly 76,000 Hoosiers have already received their first dose of vaccines against COVID-19, with the state working to distribute hundreds of thousands more doses as quickly as possible.
INDIANAPOLIS â Indianaâs COVID-19 looks worse this week, overall, with more counties in red than ever.
Thatâs likely been brought on by a change in how the state is calculating positivity rates, suggesting the half-red status of the state is maybe more how Indiana has actually looked in recent weeks.
Locally, there wasnât much change except for LaGrange County improving from the worst red rating to orange for the first time since Nov. 4.
DeKalb County saw improvement in both its metrics, although not enough to change it to orange this week. Cases dropped to 333 per 100,000 from 512 a week ago, while test positivity declined slightly to 16.09% from 16.91%.