Indiana COVID-19 cases hit highest level in more than a year
The Indiana State Department of Health on Wednesday reported 3,061 hospitalizations due to COVID-19, the highest number since Dec. 12, 2020.
Widespread flight cancellations continue as omicron spreads
Omicron has intensified already significant staffing issues for airlines, which winnowed workforces in 2020 as air travel collapsed, only to be broadsided when vaccination rates jumped and millions of people felt comfortable flying again this year.
Revised COVID protocols keep Colts QB Wentz a possibility for Sunday
Less than 24 hours after NFL officials eased COVID-19 isolation rules, Indianapolis Colts Coach Frank Reich is installing contingency game plans as he waits to see who might be available to play against Las Vegas.
NCAA not considering bubble for this year’s basketball tournament
NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt told NCAA.com that the tournament was slated to go on in the normal format and there has been no discussion of playing in a bubble like last season.
Indiana health leaders warn omicron will push COVID-19 cases higher over next 2 months
The warnings came shortly before the Indiana State Department of Health issued its latest COVID report, which showed 7,967 new cases of the virus—the highest number of cases in the daily report in more than a year.
Holcomb ‘stunned’ by Rokita’s suggestion that pandemic stats are inflated
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb slammed Attorney General Todd Rokita for comments he made in an interview this month suggesting the state is inflating its COVID-19 numbers.
Carmel’s Palladium plans return to on-site, in-person format for 2022 gala fundraiser
Following an online fundraiser in 2021, the Center for the Performing Arts has lined up vocal group Straight No Chaser for next year’s event.
New COVID-19 cases in U.S. soar to highest levels on record
The fast-spreading mutant version of the virus has cast a pall over Christmas and New Year’s, forcing communities to scale back or call off their festivities just weeks after it seemed as if Americans were about to enjoy an almost normal holiday season.
Leaders urge Americans to cancel New Year’s plans amid rising COVID counts
The volley of warnings serves as yet another reminder that the pandemic is far from over, with the omicron variant spurring a familiar pattern of cautions and cancellations during a time when many hoped to reclaim a sense of normalcy.
NFL’s new COVID-19 isolation protocol could benefit Colts
The reduction in isolation time could allow Colts quarterback Carson Wentz to return for Sunday’s key game against Las Vegas after Indianapolis placed him on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Indiana reports surge in COVID cases, 170 more deaths
The state reported 3,058 hospitalizations on Monday, up from 2,982 the previous day. COVID patients occupy 38.7% of Indiana’s intensive care unit beds.
ESPN has $400M in college football playoff ads at risk from COVID
The national spike in COVID-19 cases imperils hundreds of millions of dollars in college football playoff advertising for Walt Disney Co.’s ESPN sports network because of the growing risk games might be canceled, Bloomberg Intelligence estimated in a note Tuesday.
QB Wentz joins COVID-19 list as Colts try to earn playoff spot
The timing couldn’t be worse for the Colts, who have rebounded from a 1-4 start to win eight of their past 10 games. They can clinch one of the seven AFC playoff spots with a win over the Raiders.
U.S. government puts pause on Lilly’s COVID antibody therapies
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services cited new data that shows the therapies are unlikely to be effective against the Omicron variant.
Statewide hospitalizations from COVID-19 rise to 2,982
COVID-19 patients occupy 38.2% of Indiana’s intensive care unit beds, according to the latest report from the Indiana State Department of Health.
Flu making comeback in U.S. after unusual year nearly off
In CDC figures released Monday, states with high flu activity are Indiana, New Mexico, Kansas, New Jersey, Tennessee, Georgia and North Dakota.
U.S. officials recommend shorter COVID isolation, quarantine
U.S. health officials on Monday cut isolation recommendations for Americans who catch the coronavirus from 10 to five days, and similarly shortened the time that close contacts need to quarantine.
Fauci: U.S. should consider vaccine mandate for domestic air travel
The Biden administration has thus far balked at imposing a vaccination requirement for domestic air travel. Two officials said Biden’s science advisers have yet to make a formal recommendation for such a requirement to the president.
U.S. health officials acknowledge shortage of at-home COVID tests
The Biden administration, which last week announced a plan to offer 500 million at-home tests to Americans sometime next month, has faced criticism in recent days over its failure to prepare an adequate supply of tests.
Fearing the ax in 2022, CEOs sweat supply chain more than COVID
A new survey of more than 3,000 top executives found that supply chain, labor market and digitalization topped the lists of concerns for 2022.
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