While state health officials are optimistic with the declines in COVID-19 cases, slow vaccination uptake and the ongoing impact on hospitals remain concerns. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box says COVID hospitalizations are down, but the number of Hoosiers hospitalized overall is up, as hospitals resume other types of in-patient care.
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As COVID-19 cases continue to increase, so do hospitalizations. More than 1,700 Hoosiers were in the hospital with COVID-19 symptoms as of Thursday, the highest number since January.
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The Indiana Department of Health is ramping up COVID-19 testing, as demand shoots back up. During a press conference Wednesday, State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box apologized for the long wait times experienced at testing sites.
Continue readingGovernor Holcomb says he’s happy to leave it up to individual counties to decide on mask mandates. During a press conference Wednesday, Holcomb said the state will continue to make sure local leaders have the information they need to make their own decisions, along with the resources to carry them out.
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Improving Indiana’s public health structure is the goal of a new commission announced by Governor Holcomb Wednesday. Over the next year, the 15-member commission will look at the strengths and weaknesses of the current health system, analyzing funding, staffing challenges, and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The Indiana Department of Health says someone “improperly accessed” the state’s COVID-19 contact tracing data. Indiana Chief Information Officer Tracy Barnes said in a press release that the data was accessed by a company “that intentionally looks for software vulnerabilities, then reaches out to seek business.”
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Only one new COVID-19 case was reported in the local area Thursday. A Marshall County resident has tested positive, according to the Indiana Department of Health dashboard. The state as a whole continues to see increases in the number of new cases and the positivity rate.
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Just a few new COVID-19 cases were reported over the weekend. Pulaski County had two, and Marshall County had one, according to Monday’s update from the Indiana Department of Health. No new COVID-19 deaths were reported in Indiana over the weekend.
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Indiana’s state health commissioner says she’s disappointed by the state’s COVID-19 vaccination rate. Less than half of all eligible Hoosiers are fully vaccinated, with local rates even lower.
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COVID-19 outbreaks have hit four Indiana long-term care facilities. They’re located in Fulton, Howard, Allen, and Gibson counties, according to State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box.
Continue readingCOVID-19 cases remain low in the local area, but state health officials are keeping an eye on slight upticks in Indiana’s positivity rate and hospitalizations. Marshall County had two new cases in Friday’s report from the Indiana Department of Health, while Pulaski County had one.
Continue readingThe lessons learned in developing the COVID-19 vaccine could be used to fight other diseases in the future. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box believes the technology has “opened a new door to vaccinations.”
Continue readingCOVID-19 testing is becoming more common in Indiana’s schools, but the state is stopping short of requiring it. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box says that more than 160 schools are now using rapid BinaxNOW tests, and testing will continue to be an important topic as health officials look ahead to the 2021-2022 school year.
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Long-term care residents who are fully vaccinated can now enjoy fewer restrictions. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box says Indiana is adopting the new CDC guidance in long-term care facilities.
Continue readingIt’ll soon be easier to see how many of Indiana’s coronavirus cases can be traced back to one of the COVID-19 variants. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box announced Wednesday that a new feature will be added to the state’s COVID-19 dashboard later this week.
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The COVID-19 vaccine is proving to be effective, but Indiana still has some work to do to convince people to get it. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box says there’s growing evidence that vaccines offer significant protection.
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Leading Indiana through one of the most challenging years in recent history has brought opportunities for inspiration for Governor Eric Holcomb. During last week’s COVID-19 press conference, Holcomb said he doesn’t let the challenge anchor him to a place of despair.
Continue readingYoung adults are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, and while they’re at a lower risk of severe illness, state health officials say it’s still a good idea for them to get the shot. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box says Michigan is seeing a larger proportion of their COVID hospitalizations from people in their thirties.
Continue readingIndiana’s state health commissioner is warning Hoosiers not to behave as if the pandemic is over. “We have said before that we are in a race between the vaccine and the variants. Unfortunately, right now, the variants are picking up steam,” Dr. Kris Box said during Wednesday’s press conference. “Indiana has now reported 137 cases of the U.K. B.1.1.7 variant.”
Continue readingChildren as young as 12 could be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine by the summer. Indiana Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver says Pfizer plans to seek an FDA emergency use authorization soon.
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