More of Indiana’s COVID-19 tests are coming back positive. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box says she’s concerned by the increase in overall COVID-19 infections.
“The seven-day average positivity rate in Indiana was 5.9 percent through July 4, but the single-day positivity rate on July 4 was 6.4 percent,” Box said during Wednesday’s COVID-19 briefing. “The rate has steadily increased. By comparison, our lowest positivity rate was on June 18, when the seven-day average was 4.1 percent.” Box said health officials would like to see the positivity rate stay below five percent.
The increase in cases has also led to an uptick in hospitalizations. The state had 667 COVID-19 patients in the hospital as of Tuesday, up from 595 on June 26.
According to the latest data from the Regenstrief Institute, about 25 percent of Hoosiers who’ve tested positive have gone to the emergency room. Sixteen percent have been hospitalized, and three percent have been placed in intensive care. Of those who’ve been hospitalized, 74 percent have been discharged, while 19 percent are known to have died.
Seventy-eight percent of Hoosiers who’ve had COVID-19 are believed to have recovered. Dr. Box said those numbers are about the same as they were a week ago.
