New easy-to-use COVID-19 pills require early use
The challenge for possible users is getting tested, getting a prescription and starting the pills in a short window.
Flight cancellations continue due to bad weather, sick crews
Airlines have canceled roughly 4,000 flights to, from or inside the U.S. since Friday. Delta, United, JetBlue and American have all said that the coronavirus was causing staffing problems.
COVID outbreaks taking toll on college football bowls
The Fenway Bowl and Military Bowl were both canceled due to the pandemic on Sunday, and the University of Miami withdrew from the Sun Bowl.
COVID-19 variant disrupts holiday travel, but not shopping
Globally, airlines scrapped more than 2,700 flights as of Sunday evening, nearing the more than 2,800 cancellations the day before.
Anger over mask mandates, other COVID rules, spurs states to curb power of public health officials
At least 19 states, including Indiana, have this year restricted state or local authorities from safeguarding public health amid the coronavirus pandemic.
United, Delta cancel more than 200 Christmas Eve flights as omicron hits staff
The U.S. airlines said they were working hard to accommodate as many passengers as possible, but the disruption comes during one of the busiest travel periods in years.
IU Health caring for record number of COVID-19 patients, gets help from Navy team
The state’s largest hospital system said Thursday it has resorted to turning conference rooms into patient wards as it adds hundreds of beds across its 16 hospitals.
FDA authorizes Merck’s anti-coronavirus pill, a second treatment option
Molnupiravir cut the risk of hospitalization and death in high-risk patients by 30%. In contrast, Pfizer’s antiviral drug, authorized on Wednesday, reduced hospitalizations and death by nearly 90%.
Omicron pulls workers back to eye of storm, as workplace outbreaks grow
The outbreaks are a reminder of the risks that front line workers continue to face on the job, and the central role that workplaces can play in the transmission of the virus.
Indiana’s COVID death toll tops 18,000
The Indiana State Department of Health on Wednesday reported 86 more deaths from COVID-19, raising the total death toll to 18,057. The seven-day average of deaths from COVID remained unchanged at 36 per day.
Latest data from U.K. suggests omicron less likely than delta to require hospitalization
The early findings track well with the latest observations from South Africa, where public health officials have reported that omicron is tending to result in milder illness.
COVID surge leads to contingency plans for football championship game in Indy
If a new surge of COVID-19 ends up spreading wildly through college football’s top teams, a contingency plan would allow a champion to be crowned without the championship game ever being played in Indianapolis on Jan. 10 as planned.
Pfizer pill becomes first U.S.-authorized home COVID treatment
The drug, Paxlovid, is a faster, cheaper way to treat early COVID-19 infections and head off the worst effects of the virus. But initial supplies will be extremely limited.
Restaurants and theaters begin to close as omicron grips U.S.
There were no government orders or local restrictions prompting the closures this time around. Rather, businesses were forced to close due to too many staffers getting COVID—or out of caution.
Omicron at least doubles risk of getting infected on planes, airline adviser says
Passengers should avoid face-to-face contact and surfaces that are frequently touched, and people sitting near to each other should try not to be unmasked at the same time during meals, according to the top medical adviser to the world’s airlines.
Q&A: If you’re vaccinated and boosted, how should omicron affect your plans?
Delta was at least twice as contagious as the first strain of the novel coronavirus, scientists have found, while omicron appears to be at least twice as transmissible as delta.
Companies and attendees drop out of CES over omicron concerns
Just two weeks before it is set to open its doors to tens of thousands of people at the massive Las Vegas Convention Center, one of the largest technology trade shows is in limbo.
AG Rokita sues Biden administration over preschool masks, vaccine mandates
Indiana and 23 other states filed the suit to stop rules that require students as young as 2 years old to wear masks if they attend a preschool program funded by Head Start.
Biden pivots to home tests to confront omicron surge
A cornerstone of Biden’s plan to battle omicron is to purchase 500 million coronavirus rapid tests for free shipment to Americans starting in January.
Indiana reports 118 more COVID-19 deaths
The state’s total death toll is nearing 18,000, with a recent average of 36 deaths per day. Hospitalizations have remained relatively steady—around 3,000 patients—over the last week.
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