Statewide COVID-19 hospitalizations climb to another high
The Indiana State Department of Health on Friday reported 15,926 new cases of COVID-19, the second-highest mark during the pandemic, trailing the all-time high of 16,563 on Thursday.
Federal testing website launches next week with 4-test-per-home limit
The White House said the four-test limit on website orders will be applied to each residential address and will apply to the first tranche of 500 million tests. It estimates that the cost of purchasing and distributing the first block of tests at $4 billion.
Catching COVID on a business trip can get complicated
Not only do you have to rearrange plans to visit customers or attend conferences, but you suddenly need to isolate in a hotel room, find restaurants that deliver, and perhaps reschedule flight and hotel plans.
Marion County schools ‘desperate’ to stay open as staff COVID cases hit record highs
At least four of 11 Marion County school districts are buckling under the weight of quarantines as staff absences force a return to remote learning.
Statewide COVID-19 cases reach all-time high
The Indiana State Department of Health released the latest statistics for breakthrough cases, hospitalizations and deaths on Thursday.
COVID-19 pill rollout stymied by shortages as omicron rages
Two brand-new COVID-19 pills that were supposed to be an important weapon against the pandemic in the United States are in short supply and have played little role in the fight against the omicron wave of infections.
U.S. to double free COVID tests, add masks to fight omicron
The federal government plans will double to 1 billion the rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests to be distributed free to Americans, along with “high-quality masks.”
Indiana House removes employer penalty from vaccine mandates bill
The Indiana House on Thursday removed language from a controversial employer vaccine mandates bill that would have financially punished employers for firing workers because they are unvaccinated against COVID-19.
Supreme Court halts COVID-19 vaccine rule for U.S. businesses
At the same time, the court is allowing the administration to proceed with a vaccine mandate for most health care workers in the United States.
Statewide COVID-19 hospitalizations hit another peak
The Indiana State Department of Health on Wednesday reported more than 15,000 new cases of COVID-19 and 125 additional deaths.
Public health emergency bill moves forward in Indiana Senate
The Senate Health and Provider Services Committee voted to move the bill forward to the full Senate, after hearing testimony all in favor of the measure.
Omicron might be headed for rapid drop in United States, Britain
The reason: The COVID-19 variant has proved so wildly contagious that it may already be running out of people to infect, just a month and a half after it was first detected in South Africa.
COVID-19 hospitalizations in Indiana reach all-time high
Indiana Hospital Association President Brian Tabor said hospitals around the state “have reached a state of crisis with dwindling capacity left to care for patients.”
U.S. shoppers find some groceries scarce due to virus, weather
The shortages are widespread, impacting produce and meat as well as packaged goods such as cereal. And they’re being reported nationwide.
Pfizer plans to make up to 100M doses of omicron-specific vaccine by spring
The company has climbed to the lead in global vaccine production with 3 billion doses in 2021 and is planning to produce up to 4 billion doses in 2022.
‘Chicks on the Right’ co-founder to exit WIBC, cites vaccination mandates among reasons
Miriam Weaver says the primary factor in her departure is newly available time to focus on ‘Chicks on the Right’ work with Amy Jo Clark.
CDC weighs recommending better masks against omicron variant
With the highly transmissible omicron variant spurring record levels of infections and hospitalizations, experts have repeatedly urged the Biden administration to recommend the better-quality masks rather than cloth coverings to protect against an airborne virus.
Some health providers letting COVID-infected staff stay on the job
The move is a reaction to the severe hospital staffing shortages and crushing caseloads that the omicron variant is causing.
Home COVID-19 tests to be covered by insurers starting Saturday
Under the new policy, first detailed to the AP, Americans will be able to either purchase home testing kits for free under their insurance or submit receipts for the tests for reimbursement, up to the monthly per-person limit.
Indiana’s death toll from COVID-19 climbs past 19,000
COVID-19 patients occupy 37% of Indiana’s intensive care unit beds. The state has 12.6% of its ICU beds available overall.
Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC Resources for Businesses and Employers OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 Indiana State Department of Health Indy Chamber Rapid Response Hub Small Business Administration The SBA is making low-interest loans for working capital available to Indiana small businesses. Indiana Unemployment Information Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Dashboard Critical Industries Hotline(for business and industry only)
877-820-0890
covidresponse@iedc.in.gov State’s virus-related executive orders State plan to reopen Indiana