Stay home or work sick? Omicron poses a conundrum
As the raging omicron variant of COVID-19 infects workers across the nation, millions of those whose jobs don’t provide paid sick days are having to choose between their health and their paycheck.
Supreme Court skeptical of Biden’s workplace vaccine rule
The arguments in the two cases come at a time of spiking coronavirus cases because of the omicron variant, and the decision Friday by seven justices to wear masks for the first time while hearing arguments reflected the new phase of the pandemic.
Indiana reports 165 more COVID-19 deaths, uptick in hospitalizations
Marion County on Friday reported 2,807 new COVID-19 cases and 18 more deaths. Marion and every surrounding county except Shelby are at the red, or highest, pandemic advisory level.
Crowded ERs divert ambulances in huge numbers, state data shows
Central Indiana hospitals diverted ambulances for nearly 3,000 hours during a six-week period this fall, according to information IBJ received from the Indiana State Department of Health through an open-records request.
Supreme Court hears challenges to Biden’s vaccine rules for workers
Opponents argues Friday morning that the vaccine-or-test rules were an unprecedented imposition by the federal government on private workplaces.
GOP differences on Indiana tax cuts, vaccine mandate limits solidify
The Indiana Senate’s top Republican said tax cuts and limits on employer vaccine mandates didn’t land on his priority list because they are “controversial” and “more complicated to work through.” But that won’t stop House Republicans from pursuing them.
Supreme Court to weigh vaccine rules affecting more than 80M
The justices are scheduled to hear arguments Friday about whether to allow the Biden administration to enforce a vaccine-or-testing requirement that applies to large employers and a separate vaccine mandate for most health care workers.
White House, Postal Service making plans to ship COVID tests to households
Test manufacturers and distributors seeking to provide a share of the 500 million tests have submitted proposals to the government, and the Biden administration on Thursday evening awarded its first contract toward the purchase.
Indiana reports 150 more deaths as COVID cases surge to another high
COVID-19 patients occupy 36.2% of Indiana’s intensive care unit beds, leaving the state with only 9.5% of its ICU beds available overall.
House committee moves vaccine mandates bill forward
The vaccine-mandate provisions of the bill would effectively force employers to accept any medical or religious reason to exempt employees from getting a vaccine, without question.
State reports all-time high in new COVID-19 cases, rise in hospitalizations
The state health department also reported 39 more deaths from COVID, raising the cumulative total to 18,644.
House, Senate differ on handling vaccine mandates, health emergency
Indiana House and Senate Republican leaders appear to be at odds on how to handle legislation to address employer vaccine mandates and end the state’s public health emergency.
Indiana state health commissioner tests positive for COVID-19 for second time
Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box is one of an estimated 113,000 Hoosiers to suffer a breakthrough case since Jan. 18, 2021.
Doctors bemoan limited supply of game-changing antiviral pills amid winter surge
Easy-to-take antiviral pills, authorized just before Christmas, were hailed as a potential turning point in the fight against the coronavirus because of the medicines’ ability to keep high-risk people out of the hospital.
COVID-19 surge not deterring push to end Indiana health emergency
A House committee is set to vote Thursday on a bill that includes administrative actions sought by Holcomb, along with provisions that would force businesses to grant broad exemptions to any workplace COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
COVID case counts losing some importance amid omicron
The explosive increase in U.S. coronavirus case counts is raising alarm, but some experts believe the focus should instead be on COVID-19 hospital admissions. And those aren’t climbing as fast.
Indiana reports 172 more COVID-19 deaths, rise in hospitalizations
The Indiana State Department of Health on Tuesday reported 8,533 new COVID cases across the state. That’s the second-highest number of new cases ever reported in the department’s daily update.
IRT can’t claim coverage for COVID-related losses, appeals court affirms
Despite the “dire” financial downturn caused by COVID-related business closures, the Indianapolis Repertory Theatre can’t claim loss-of-use coverage under its insurance policy, the Court of Appeals of Indiana ruled.
Indiana National Guard to help at Riley Hospital, beleaguered with COVID patients
The hospital has admitted about four times as many children for COVID-19 treatment in recent weeks as in any previous wave during the pandemic.
CDC approves shorter time between Pfizer COVID vaccine, booster
The CDC also recommended that children ages 5 to 11 with moderately or severely weakened immune systems receive an additional dose 28 days after their second Pfizer shot.
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