Indiana reports fewest COVID-19 deaths since late October
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 fell from 2,678 on Friday to 2,593 on Saturday, the third straight day of decreases.
Once again, job losses fall unequally across U.S. economy
The latest layoffs have been heavily concentrated in the industries that have suffered most because they involve face-to-face contact: Restaurants, bars and hotels, theaters, sports arenas and concert halls.
New COVID-19 cases in Indiana top 6,000 for 4th straight day
Indiana has reported 542 new deaths from the virus over the past seven days, an average of 77 per day. That’s down from 595 deaths the previous week, a daily average of 85.
Stock market shakes off a slump to reach more record highs
Technology stocks and companies that rely on consumer spending helped lift the market, outweighing losses in financial, industrial and other sectors.
Study suggests Pfizer vaccine works against virus variant
The study was preliminary and did not look at the two other major vaccines being used in the West. But it was reassuring, given questions of whether the virus could mutate to defeat the shots on which the world has pinned its hopes.
Lilly’s COVID treatment sparks little demand
For a highly touted drug meant to keep throngs of people out of hospitals during a pandemic, Eli Lilly and Co.’s wonder treatment bamlanivimab sure has been slow to catch on.
New COVID-19 cases again exceed 6,000 in Indiana
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 fell from 2,812 on Wednesday to 2,769 on Thursday.
Local manufacturer Hurco suffers first full-year loss since 2010
CEO Michael Doar said the company was encouraged by “growing demand we saw in certain markets in the second half of the fiscal year, particularly in Europe and Asia.”
State vaccine registration website slows under surge from Hoosiers
The Indiana Department of Health said Friday morning that the website and the alternate 2-1-1 phone registration system were working but urged Hoosiers to be patient if put into holding queues.
Pacers to allow limited fan attendance starting in late January
The Indiana Pacers on Friday said the team will once again be able to welcome fans to home games—on a highly restricted basis because of the pandemic—starting Jan. 20.
Judge rules against 20 local bar owners who sued over pandemic restrictions
The complaint was aimed at Marion County’s pandemic public health orders, which included tougher restrictions on bars and nightclubs in the county than those in most of the state.
U.S. sheds 140,000 jobs, first monthly loss since spring
Friday’s figures from the Labor Department suggest that employers have rehired roughly all the workers they can afford to after having laid off more than 22 million in the spring—the worst such loss on record.
NCAA’s March Madness will be test Indy was ‘made for’
The herculean effort over the next 2-1/2 months will involve city and state officials, tourism and civic leaders, and likely thousands of volunteers.
Post-infection coronavirus immunity usually robust after 8 months, study shows
The full duration of immunity is speculative because the novel coronavirus has been circulating in human beings for barely a year and there isn’t long-term data. The oldest specimens studied were obtained about nine months ago.
U.S. registering highest death counts yet from COVID-19
Meanwhile, the number of Americans who have gotten their first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine climbed to at least 5.9 million Thursday, a one-day gain of about 600,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Didn’t get your pandemic relief payment yet? You aren’t alone
While the IRS and Treasury have distributed the bulk of the anticipated $164 billion in second-round relief payments for Americans faster than the first time, millions have not gotten payments yet or found hiccups in the distribution.
Wall Street keeps rising on hopes for bigger stimulus
Investors and analysts are anticipating the Biden administration and a Democrat-controlled Congress will try to deliver $2,000 checks to most Americans, increase spending on infrastructure and take other measures to nurse the economy amid the worsening pandemic.
Health department unsure of restaurant restrictions for NCAA tournament
Dr. Virginia Caine said the decision on further opening restaurants will be dictated by positivity rates, vaccine distribution and case counts much closer to the tournament.
Indiana reports 7,344 new COVID-19 cases, another 81 deaths
The Indiana State Department of Health said 128,026 people in the state have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination and 585 have been fully vaccinated, as of Tuesday.
Lawmakers seek to address funding gap between virtual, in-person instruction
Lawmakers in the Indiana Senate and House are reviewing bills that would fully fund virtual students and protect schools from losing state funding—at least through July 2021.
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