December sets high marks for COVID-19 cases, deaths in Indiana

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Indiana saw more COVID-19 cases and deaths in December than any previous month of the pandemic, according to numbers reported Friday by the Indiana State Department of Health.

The department on Friday reported a cumulative increase of 173,400 cases and 2,418 deaths in December, topping previous highs of 162,265 cases and 1,474 deaths reported in November.

The state reported 6,407 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the cumulative year-end total to 517,773. It also reported 106 more deaths due to COVID-19, bringing the cumulative total to 8,016. Deaths have exceeded 25 in the report for 30 straight days.

The department on Friday said 14,398 new individuals were tested, bringing the cumulative total to 2,649,964. Testing in that category rose by 432,706 during the month, the second highest monthly increase behind November’s rise of 507,314.

Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 dropped from 2,842 on Thursday to 2,786 on Friday, the lowest number since Nov. 15. The high mark was 3,460 set on Nov. 30.

COVID-19 patients occupy 31.6% of the state’s intensive care beds.

The 7-day positivity rate for unique individuals is 24.1%.

Following are the latest COVID-19 numbers from the Indiana State Department of Health. The department updates its data daily based on information received through 11:59 p.m. the previous day.

COVID-19 cases

*New COVID-19 cases: 6,407

Total cumulative cases517,773

Increase in cases reported Dec. 1-Jan. 1: 173,400

Increase in cases reported Nov. 1-Dec. 1: 162,265

Increase in cases reported Oct. 1-Nov. 1: 60,932

Increase in cases reported Sept. 1-Oct. 1: 26,285

Increase in cases reported Aug. 1-Sept. 1: 27,769

Increase in cases reported July 1-Aug. 1: 21,170

Increase in cases reported June 1-July 1: 11,122

Increase in cases reported May 1-June. 1: 16,065

COVID-19 deaths

New deaths: 106

Total deaths: 8,016

Increase in deaths reported Dec. 1-Jan. 1: 2,418

Increase in deaths reported Nov. 1-Dec. 1: 1,474

Increase in deaths reported Oct. 1-Nov. 1: 706

Increase in deaths reported Sept. 1-Oct. 1: 325

Increase in deaths reported Aug. 1-Sept. 1: 322

Increase in deaths reported July 1-Aug. 1: 315

Increase in deaths reported June 1-July 1: 480

Increase in deaths reported May 1-June. 1: 914

Increase in deaths reported April 1-May 1: 997

COVID-19 testing

New tested individuals: 14,398

Total cumulative tested individuals: 2,649,964

Cumulative positivity rate unique individuals: 19.5%

Seven-day positivity rate unique individuals: 24.1%**

Cumulative positivity rate all tests: 10.6%

Seven-day positivity rate all tests: 14.3%**

Increase in unique tested individuals reported Dec. 1-Jan. 1: 432,706

Increase in unique tested individuals reported Nov. 1-Dec. 1: 507,314

Increase in unique tested individuals reported Oct. 1-Nov. 1: 322,213

Increase in unique tested individuals reported Sept. 1-Oct. 1: 303,966

Increase in unique tested individuals reported Aug. 1-Sept. 1: 325,159

Increase in unique tested individuals reported July 1-Aug. 1: 268,890

Increase in unique tested individuals reported June 1-July 1: 223,820

Increase in unique tested individuals reported May 1-June 1: 166,257

Increase in unique tested individuals reported April 1-May 1: 85,264

** The health department reports the 7-day positivity rates with a six-day lag to allow time for more comprehensive results.

County numbers

Marion County cumulative cases: 71,487 (increase of 902)

Marion County new deaths: 13

Marion County cumulative deaths: 1,156

Marion County 7-day positivity rate unique individuals: 21.6%

Marion County 7-day positivity rate all tests: 13.8%

Hamilton County cumulative cases: 24,249

Hendricks County cumulative cases: 11,661

Johnson County cumulative cases: 12,309

Madison County cumulative cases: 9,071

Boone County cumulative cases: 4,541

Hancock County cumulative cases: 5,246

Morgan County cumulative cases: 4,354

Shelby County cumulative cases: 3,447

Indiana intensive care unit usage

Available ICU beds: 19.7%

ICU beds in use by COVID-19 patients: 31.6%

Available ventilators: 70.6%

Ventilators in use for COVID-19: 12.4%

U.S. and worldwide numbers

As of Friday, from Johns Hopkins University:

U.S. cases: 19,995,070

U.S. deaths: 346,043

Global cases: 83,689,541

Global deaths: 1,822,467

*New cases, deaths and tests are previously unreported cases, deaths and tests submitted to the Indiana State Health Department in the 24 hours through 11:59 p.m. the previous day. The cases and testing categories typically contain numerous duplicates—as many as 20% or more—that are later eliminated from the cumulative totals.

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6 thoughts on “December sets high marks for COVID-19 cases, deaths in Indiana

    1. You know absolutely nothing other than non-credible sources of information. I’m actually surprised you subscribe to the IBJ. My significant other went to the ER last summer and wasn’t diagnosed with covid. You’re living in an alternate reality.

  1. For all of the DENIERS of the COVID numbers, they should be required to take a guided tour through any of the ICU’s in our City or State. I would suggest that those taking the tour not be given any mask, gloves, gowns, face shields, etc. for protection. (That would not be appropriate so make them suit up like a member of the ICU staff.) Make them view all of the ICU beds, learn the diagnosis of each, and then meet a family member whose loved one is in the ICU with COVID-19. Reality of the severity of the pandemic and the huge burden that the hospital and hospital staff have had to bear will sink in unless the denier is blind, deaf and dumb. (That analogy was very insensitive so my apologies to individuals with real disabilities.)

  2. Should we be surprised that the number are going up again? How many more Hoosiers are going to die before the Governor and our Public Health officials change course? The Public Health officials of our State should resign in protest unless the Governor changes course. There is NO rational, scientific reason for them to stay in their jobs as long as they understand that more inaction is going to cost more lives. If necessary, outside consultants should be brought in to get us on the right path. The hospitals and hospital workers are being overwhelmed. Yes, roll out the vaccines, but who will be left to get it with the worse yet to come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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