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.
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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.
Lilly resumes political contributions to Republicans who voted against certifying election
The pharmaceutical giant has quietly returned to making political contributions to 14 Republican lawmakers who voted against certifying the 2020 election results, according to a report issued Monday by watchdog group Accountable.US.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Federal court rules losses suffered by Patachou restaurant not covered by insurance
The Patachou restaurants in Indianapolis and Carmel will not be able to recoup their financial losses from the COVID-19 shutdown in the spring of 2020 after a federal court found the insurance policy they held only reimbursed for damage to the actual brick and mortar structures.
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.