Statewide coronavirus update: Indiana reports 3,978 cases, 31 deaths IndyStar, Indianapolis Star
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The Indiana State Department of Health on Monday reported 3,978 new coronavirus cases and 31 additional deaths.
Another 337 probable deaths have been reported. Those deaths are based on clinical diagnoses when no positive test is on record.
Indiana s positivity rate for all tests sits at 12.4%. More than 70% of ventilators throughout the state remain available, and a quarter of intensive care unit beds are open.
In Marion County, 648 new cases and 2 more deaths were reported Monday. The county s seven-day positivity rate is 13.8%.
Every county in the state continues to be color-coded as red for weekly cases per 100,000 residents. Red indicates the highest level of spread on the state s county metrics map.
State reports 6,558 new COVID-19 cases, 53 more deaths from the virus
The Indiana State Department of Health on Sunday reported 6,558 additional COVID-19 cases and 53 more deaths.
These additions mark yet another grim milestone as the state s total confirmed deaths reach 7,070. The state s case total is now over 464,350.
The number of people in Indiana hospitals with COVID-19: 2,932.
Intensive-care unit bed availability: 23.6% available of 2,150 beds. 30.6% of the total beds are occupied by COVID-19 patients.
Ventilator availability: 71.1% available of 2,806. 12.2% of the total are in use by COVID-19 patients.
Contact Tim Evans at 317-444-6204 or tim.evans@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @starwatchtim.
Indiana COVID-19 hospitalizations fall below 3,000
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December 18, 2020
The Indiana State Department of Health on Saturday reported 4,839 new COVID-19 cases, the 45th straight day that new cases have topped 4,000.
The state reported 73 more deaths due to COVID-19, the 10th time deaths have exceeded 70 in the past 12 reports. Indiana has reported 7,017 total deaths from COVID-19 during the pandemic, plus another 321 probable COVID deaths.
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 decreased from 3,065 on Thursday to 2,932 on Friday, the first time hospitalizations have fallen below 3,000 since Nov. 16. The high mark was 3,460 set on Nov. 30.
COVID-19 patients occupy 31.3% of the state’s intensive care beds and non-COVID patients are taking up 46.7%, leaving 22% available.
Dec 17, 2020 / 10:43 PM EST
BLUFFTON, Ind. (WISH) A Hoosier restaurant that was shut down over the state’s mask mandate is suing Gov. Eric Holcomb, the state government and the Wells County Health Department.
It’s believed to be the first lawsuit filed over the governor’s executive orders during the coronavirus pandemic.
Matt Yergler, the owner of Yergy’s State Road BBQ, has a position that’s pretty clear. He does not believe the science behind wearing a mask and does not believe the governor has the authority to mandate wearing one without the state legislature’s backing.
The lawsuit challenges the executive order requiring masks to be worn in Yergy’s and other restaurants. In addition to a storefront in Bluffton, a town in Wells County about 40 minutes south of Fort Wayne, Yergler also owns a food truck in Bluffton.
Dec 17, 2020 / 09:22 PM EST
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Thursday unveiled his
Fighting the coronavirus pandemic is what Holcomb said is the biggest issues he wants to address.
“Managing through the surge and safely accelerating out of this pandemic will remain priority No. 1,” Holcomb said. “Our response and recovery efforts are all geared toward protecting lives and livelihoods.”
To keep that momentum, Holcomb wants to start a comprehensive assessment of state-delivered public health services and local health departments.
“This is just an honest assessment that ‘Hey, what are we learning through this crisis? What happens in the future? Because we don’t know and we want to be prepared for that. We want to make sure that in terms of communication, in terms of resources, in terms of nimbleness, ” the governor said.