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.
Testing, masks encouraged, but not required for college football title game
Proof of either vaccination or a negative test will not be required for entry into Lucas Oil Stadium for the College Football Playoff National Championship or any of the various fan events planned throughout the weekend.
Indiana limits COVID rapid-test availability at state, local testing sites
The Indiana Department of Health on Tuesday said it was putting restrictions on the availability of rapid tests for COVID-19 at state and local health department testing sites “due to high demand and a national shortage of rapid test kits.”
Thousands of flights canceled, delayed at start of workweek
A winter storm that hit the mid-Atlantic on Monday combined with pandemic-caused shortages of airline workers to push flight cancellations to a holiday-season high, creating more frustration for travelers just trying to get home.
Omicron upends return to U.S. schools and workplaces
Across the United States, new COVID-19 cases have tripled in the past two weeks, to more than 400,000 a day, the highest level on record.
Statewide hospitalizations from COVID-19 continue to climb
The Indiana State Department of Health said 3,164 people were hospitalized due to the virus as of Sunday, the highest mark since Dec. 15, 2020. That’s up 31% over the past month.
FDA expands Pfizer boosters for more teens as omicron surges
Boosters already are recommended for everyone 16 and older, and federal regulators on Monday decided they’re also warranted for 12- to 15-year-olds once enough time has passed since their last dose.
CES gadget show stages wary return amid COVID-19
The latest sign of the influential technology event’s dwindling size was Friday’s announcement that CES will run one day shorter than originally planned.
Omicron clouds forecasts for COVID pandemic’s endgame
The ultra-contagious omicron mutant is pushing cases to all-time highs and causing chaos as an exhausted world struggles, again, to stem the spread. But this time, we’re not starting from scratch.
Flight cancellations pile up again, top 2,500 by Sunday evening
At 6:30 p.m. Sunday, the number of cancellations stood at 2,560 nationwide and was slowly rising, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks commercial aviation. More than 2,700 flights were canceled Saturday.
CDC mulling adding COVID test requirement to isolation guidelines
Dr. Anthony Fauci said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now considering including the negative test as part of its guidance after getting significant “pushback” on its updated recommendations last week.
Judge blocks COVID vaccine mandate for Head Start program
U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty wrote that the Biden administration unlawfully bypassed Congress when ordering that workers in Head Start programs be vaccinated by Jan. 31 and that students 2 years or older be masked when indoors or when in close contact outdoors.
Some colleges moving classes online for start of 2nd semester
Many colleges hope that an extra week or two will get them past the peak of the nationwide spike driven by the omicron variant. Still, the surge is casting uncertainty over a semester many had hoped would be the closest to normal since the start of the pandemic.
Colts activate QB Carson Wentz from COVID-19 list
Wentz, who is unvaccinated, must have a negative test Sunday to be allowed to play under new protocols adopted by the NFL and the players’ union this week.
2021 Year in Review: Vaccination rollout starts with huge demand, then hits wall
By Christmas, nearly 63% of adult Hoosiers had been vaccinated, with 36% of adults having received a booster shot. But among all Hoosiers eligible (including children 5 years and older), only about 52% of the state’s population over the age of 5 had been fully vaccinated, putting Indiana near the bottom among states.
Homeowners keep spending on renovations, upgrades
Homeowners locally and nationwide, far from being deterred by supply-chain snarls, are showing increasing interest in remodeling.
Indiana reports new all-time high for COVID-19 cases
Indiana on Thursday reported 48 more deaths from COVID-19, coming on top of 58 deaths the previous day and 170 in Tuesday’s report.
2021 Year in Review: The year’s toughest job: Finding enough workers
Businesses that had been in COVID-19 lockdown mode for a year suddenly needed lots of employees to flip burgers, stock shelves and sell merchandise. Customers were back after restrictions were lifted and thousands of people were getting vaccinated.
Indiana lawmakers face debates on vaccine limits, pot, tax cuts
The Republican-dominated General Assembly is expected to begin the 2022 session Tuesday with action on a bill that would force businesses that require COVID-19 vaccinations to grant exemptions to workers claiming medical or religious objections.
Feds press nursing home COVID boosters as staff cases spike
Cases among nursing home staffers jumped to 10,353 the week ending Dec. 27, a rise of nearly 80% from the previous week, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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