Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 still climbing in Indiana
Cumulative COVID-19 cases rose from 781,326 in Friday’s state report to 786,272 on Monday, a weekend increase of 4,946 cases.
U.S. job openings hit record 10.1 million
The gap between openings and hiring suggests that firms are scrambling to find workers. Lingering health fears, difficulty getting child care at a time and expanded federal jobless aid may have kept some unemployed Americans from seeking work.
Fitness centers face uncertain future after pandemic changes workout habits
Roughly 9,000 health clubs—22% of the total nationwide—have closed since the beginning of the virus outbreak, according to the International Health Racquet & Sportsclub Association.
For first time, average hourly pay for supermarket, restaurant workers tops $15
Wages have been rising rapidly as the economy reopens and businesses struggle to hire enough workers. Some of the biggest gains have gone to workers in some of the lowest-paying industries.
Weary U.S. businesses confront new round of mask mandates
After a largely mask-free summer, it’s a reversal no one wanted to see, brought on by the fast-spreading delta variant and new guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Amazon to mandate masks for all its workers in warehouses
The move follows steps by a slew of other retailers, including Walmart and Target, to mandate masks for their workers.
CDC study finds COVID-19 survivors should still get vaccinated
Friday’s report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adds to growing laboratory evidence that people who had one bout of COVID-19 get a dramatic boost in virus-fighting immune cells—and a bonus of broader protection against new mutants—when they’re vaccinated.
Indy firm helps companies navigate shipping tsunami
Cargo Services Inc., an Indianapolis-based international freight forwarder and U.S. logistics provider, helps companies deal with a COVID-fueled convergence of growing consumer demand, a shortage of cargo shipping containers, a crimped supply chain and raging shipping costs.
Cargo jumps a whopping 52% at Indiana’s Burns Harbor port
Indiana’s Lake Michigan port in Burns Harbor has seen a big increase in shipments this year as the global economy rebounds from the pandemic. In June, the port handled a 52% spike in cargo compared with June 2020.
Companies take lead on response to COVID surge
While many government leaders seem reluctant to reimpose restrictions, businesses are beginning to lay down the law.
Students challenging IU vaccine mandate file for U.S. Supreme Court review
The students-plaintiffs have challenged the mandate in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana and at the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, but so far their efforts have been unsuccessful.
COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations continue to surge in Indiana
The state reported nine new deaths from COVID-19, lifting the cumulative death total to 13,624. The seven-day moving average of new deaths increased from five to six.
Martin University offering debt-relief for most students
The university plans to use grant funds from the federal government, specifically Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds, to clear debt for more than two-thirds of its students.
United Airlines first major airline to require employees to be vaccinated
United, which has 67,000 employees in the United States, has been requiring vaccination of new hires since mid-June.
Biden considers withholding funds, other measures to spur vaccinations
If the Biden administration goes forward with the plans, it would amount to a dramatic escalation in the effort to vaccinate the roughly 90 million Americans who are eligible for shots but who have refused or have been unable to get them.
Earnings, revenue soar at IU Health in first 6 months, as patients return for procedures
Indiana University Health saw its earnings more than double in the first half of the year, to $414 million, compared to a year ago, as patients flocked back to hospitals and clinics, many for procedures they had postponed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Indiana COVID-19 cases continue to rise
The department said statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 rose from 933 on Tuesday to 977 on Thursday.
U.S. jobless claims drop to 385,000 as economy rebounds
Unemployment claims remain high by historic levels: Before the pandemic slammed the United States in March 2020, they were coming in at around 220,000 a week.
Holcomb resists renewed mask mandate as virus variant spikes
The governor has maintained he won’t reinstate a statewide mask mandate or other restrictions, instead leaving such decisions to local officials.
Real estate, landlord groups file legal salvo to stop new eviction moratorium
Only one day after the Biden administration issued a new policy protecting renters from eviction, a series of real estate and landlord groups is trying to invalidate it.
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