Governor Holcomb is tightening restrictions on social gatherings. Starting this weekend, event organizers will no longer be allowed to seek permission to hold events larger than the limits outlined in the state’s county metrics. That’s 50 people in counties coded orange and 25 people in counties coded red.
During Wednesday’s COVID-19 briefing, Holcomb noted that Indiana is now second in the nation for new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents. “When you talk about counties being red, the State of Indiana is on fire,” the governor said. “Just to put this all in context or perspective, every one of our 92 counties is red, in terms of one of the ways we measure this: the number of cases per 100,000 residents.”
That means every county has had at least 200 weekly cases per 100,000 residents, and State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box noted that all but two are now above 400.
Additionally, K-12 extracurricular and co-curricular events will be limited to participants, support personnel, and parents or guardians plus their minor children in red counties. Those everywhere else will be reduced to 25-percent capacity. Local health departments may also allow college and professional sports to take place with up to 25-percent of the usual number of spectators.
The governor is also directing hospitals to hold off on non-emergent procedures done in an in-patient setting between December 16 and January 3.
Dr. Box said hospitals are stretched to the limit. “By postponing non-emergent procedures done in an in-patient setting, we will be able to free up preoperative and postoperative staff and OR staff to be able to provide relief for these weary COVID warriors,” Box explained.
But the governor stresses that if you experience a serious medical condition, you should still see your doctor or go to the hospital. The mask order will remain in effect.
