The number of COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations continues to draw concern from Indiana’s state health commissioner. During Wednesday’s press conference, Dr. Kris Box said the number of deaths continues to increase, especially in long-term care facilities.
“That’s almost 6,000 Hoosiers who aren’t here this year because of this virus,” Box said. “Each of these individuals has a name, a face, a family who loves them, and is grieving. Many of them are Hoosiers over the age of 60, but no age group is immune.”
As for whether COVID-19 has actually increased the overall number of deaths compared to previous years, Box said there’s no question that it has. “I’ve heard a lot of people say, ‘We’re not losing any more people than we do with the influenza,’ and ‘We haven’t lost any more people. They’re just saying that people died of COVID instead of dying of their stroke or their heart attack.’ And that’s just absolutely not true.”
Another concern is that many hospitals remain at capacity, forcing patients to travel farther for medical care. Box said the number of people hospitalized with COVID or COVID symptoms has almost doubled in the past month, and the number of admissions is also rising. “On October 1, we had 85 people admitted for COVID or COVID-like symptoms,” Box said. “That number was 224 on November 1, and we’ve already had 425 admissions for November 27 and that number could continue to rise as information comes in.”
Box pointed out that fewer counties are in the red category this week, but the state hasn’t seen the impact of Thanksgiving gatherings yet. Test results continue to be delayed, as labs experience significant stress. Box said she’s encouraging health departments to use point-of-care tests on those showing symptoms, while health officials look for labs with extra capacity.
