It may soon be easier to visit loved ones in hospitals. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box says her department has been working with the Indiana Hospital Association to bring their visitation policies closer to normal, if conditions allow.
Continue readingState Health Commissioner: Pandemic Is Far from Over
Indiana may be easing its COVID-19 restrictions in the coming weeks, but the state health commissioner cautions that the pandemic is far from over. Dr. Kris Box says the number of cases of the more infectious U.K. B.1.1.7 variant is now up to 73 in Indiana, and the state’s positivity rate has risen slightly in the past week.
Continue readingGov. Holcomb to Deliver COVID-19 Address This Evening
Governor Eric Holcomb plans to outline Indiana’s next steps in the COVID-19 response during a statewide address this evening. The address comes one year after Holcomb announced his initial stay-at-home order. It’s also a year since the first local case of COVID-19 was reported in Starke County.
Continue readingState, Federal Income Tax Deadlines Pushed Back to May 17
The State of Indiana is following suit with the federal government and extending the income tax deadline to May 17. Governor Holcomb delayed the state individual income tax filing deadline in an executive order Monday, after the U.S. Treasury extended its deadline last week.
Continue readingPulaski County Reports 45th COVID-19 Death
Another Pulaski County resident has died while positive for COVID-19. The death occurred on Wednesday, according to Sunday’s report from the Indiana Department of Health. That brings Pulaski County’s total COVID-19 death count to 45.
Continue readingHoosiers Age 40 and Up Can Get COVID-19 Vaccine Starting Monday
Indiana will expand COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to any Hoosier age 40 and older starting Monday. Residents will be able to schedule an appointment at ourshot.in.gov or by calling 211.
Continue readingHospitality Industry Recovering but Hotels and Downtown Restaurants Still Facing Challenges
Indiana’s restaurants continue to recover from the impact of COVID-19, but hotels continue to face challenges. Indiana Restaurant & Lodging Association President & CEO Patrick Tamm praised the state’s recovery process during state officials’ COVID-19 press conference Wednesday.
Continue readingLocal Counties Continue to Report COVID-19 Cases in Single Digits
Local residents continue testing positive for COVID-19. Marshall County reported another seven cases, according to Friday’s update from the Indiana Department of Health. Pulaski County had three new cases, while Starke County had two.
Continue readingState Officials Considering How to Spend COVID-19 Relief Money
State officials are figuring out how they’ll spend Indiana’s share of the latest federal COVID-19 relief package. During Wednesday’s press conference, Governor Holcomb noted that it’ll include about $3 billion for the state and another $3 billion for local governments.
Continue readingState Officials Continue Outreach Efforts to Encourage Vaccination
Hoosiers at the younger end of the state’s COVID-19 vaccine eligibility range are not signing up as quickly as older residents. During Wednesday’s COVID-19 press conference, State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box said her department continues to work with populations where there’s been a lot of vaccine hesitancy.
Continue readingState Health Commissioner Reviews Updated Visitation Guidelines for Long-Term Care Facilities
Visiting loved ones in long-term care facilities continues to get easier. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box reviewed the latest guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services during Wednesday’s press conference.
Continue readingState Health Commissioner Says Indiana Is Getting Fewer Vaccine Doses than Other States
About 13 percent of Indiana’s population is now fully vaccinated against COVID-19. But health officials say the state is getting fewer doses per resident than many others.
Continue readingState Health Officials Work to Fix Vaccine Registration Glitch, Update Vaccination Dashboard
A technical glitch may have been making it take longer for Hoosiers to get a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. Those who used the “find next available appointment” option were sometimes reportedly directed to a later date, even though earlier appointments were actually available.
Continue readingState Health Commissioner Urges Worshipers to Keep Wearing Masks in Church for Now
The idea of churches not requiring face masks is drawing concern from the state health commissioner. During Wednesday’s press conference, Dr. Kris Box noted that there may still be some high-risk individuals who haven’t been vaccinated yet.
Continue readingGovernor Plans to Address State about COVID-19 Roadmap
With COVID-19 cases down and vaccinations on the rise, Governor Eric Holcomb is planning an announcement about Indiana’s path forward.
Continue readingApplications Being Accepted for Indiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Hoosiers struggling to pay their rent due to COVID-19 can now apply for more help from the state. Applications are now being accepted for the Indiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program, according to Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority Executive Director Jacob Sipe.
Continue readingUSDA Extends Flexibilities for Free Meals for Children through September
The USDA is taking steps to make it easier for kids to keep getting free meals throughout the summer. Officials announced this week that a number of COVID-19-related waivers that were in place until the end of June have now been extended through September.
Continue readingState, Federal Health Officials Easing Visitation Restrictions at Long-Term Care Facilities
It may soon be easier to visit loved ones in long-term care facilities. State and federal health officials separately announced Wednesday that they’re easing visitation restrictions.
Continue readingTeachers, School Staff to Be Fully Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine in Indiana Starting Monday
Indiana teachers will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine at any vaccination site in the state starting Monday. It’s been available to educators at pharmacies taking part in the federal vaccination program for the past few days.
Continue readingIndiana Reports Smallest Single-Day Increase in COVID-19 Cases in Six Months
Indiana is reporting its smallest single-day increase in COVID-19 cases in six months. Another 480 cases were reported in Monday’s update from the Indiana Department of Health. That brings the state’s total to almost 668,000.
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