Indiana sees increase of 397 COVID-19 cases, 17 deaths

The Indiana State Department of Health on Saturday said the number of positive cases of COVID-19 in the state has risen to 39,543. That marks an increase of 397 cases over the cumulative number—39,146—the department reported on Friday.

The state reported an increase 398 cases on Friday, 411 on Thursday, 304 on Wednesday, 410 on Tuesday, 226 on Monday, 400 on Sunday and 419 on Saturday.

The department said Saturday that the cumulative death toll in the state rose to 2,231, up from 2,214 the previous day—an increase of 17.

Nearly 92% of the total deaths involve those who are age 60 or older. More than 75% of those who have died are older than 70. Only 2.9% of the deaths have involved someone younger than 50.

According to the report, 1,011 deaths—or 47.4% of the state’s total—involved long-term-care patients. The state updates long-term-care numbers on Mondays. The state said 155 facilities have experienced at least one COVID-19 death and 250 have had at least one positive case.

The state said 340,637 people have been tested so far, up from 335,180 in Friday’s report—an increase of 5,457.

The state said 11.6% of those tested so far have been positive for COVID-19.

The ISDH said the test numbers reflect only those tests reported to the department and the numbers should not be characterized as a comprehensive total.

Health officials say Indiana has far more coronavirus cases—probably tens of thousands more—than those indicated by the number of official tests. A study announced May 13 estimated at least 186,000 Hoosiers have or had COVID-19 through the end of April.

New positive cases, deaths and tests have occurred over a range of dates but were reported to the department in the previous day.

The department reported the state’s first case on March 6 and first death from COVID-19 on March 16.

Marion County on Saturday reported 10,619 cumulative cases—up from 10,577 the previous day, an increase of 42 cases.

The county’s cumulative death toll was 647, up from 643 in Thursday’s report.

The state said 66,150 people have been tested in the county.

In surrounding counties, Hamilton had 1,257 positive cases; Johnson 1,168; Hendricks 1,266; Boone 358; Hancock 374; Madison 612; Morgan 297; and Shelby 405.

Pike County has six cases, but every other Indiana county has at least 11.

The department said 38.8% of the state’s intensive care unit beds were still available. About 13% are being used by COVID-19 patients.

The department also said 83.1% of the state’s ventilators were available, with 3.9% being used for COVID-19 patients.

The health department is providing case updates daily at noon based on results received through 11:59 p.m. the previous day.