EPA details ways climate change could hit U.S. minorities the hardest
A new federal report says racial minorities in the United States can expect more deaths from extreme heat and property loss from flooding.
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Companies loosen job requirements, but challenges remain
In a desperation for hired hands, companies have loosened hiring restrictions on everything from age to level of experience. The changing standards may have helped boost hiring this summer, even as many companies complained they couldn’t find all the workers they need.
U.S. hospitals hit with nurse staffing crisis amid COVID
The problem, health leaders say, is twofold: Nurses are quitting or retiring, exhausted or demoralized by the crisis. And many are leaving for lucrative temporary jobs with traveling-nurse agencies that can pay $5,000 or more a week.
IU Health suspends hundreds of unvaccinated workers, postpones all inpatient elective surgeries
IU Health, the state’s largest hospital system, said unvaccinated workers will be placed on a two-week suspension and will be allowed to return to work if they attest to partial or full vaccination.
Indiana COVID-19 cases hit highest mark since Jan. 9, hospitalizations rise again
The Indiana State Department of Health on Thursday reported another 23 more deaths from the virus, raising the cumulative total to 14,101.
Functional medicine practitioner planning new $4M clinic in Carmel
Be Well Family Care has more than 100 patients on a waiting list, so owner Swathi Rao plans to build a new facility to triple the functional medicine clinic’s footprint.
Holcomb orders hospitals to report ambulance diversions, ending secretive practice
The order cites the recent strain on hospitals from the pandemic, and states they must report the number of hours each day they close their doors to ambulances bringing in new patients.
Judge conditionally approves Purdue Pharma opioid settlement
If it withstands appeals, the deal will resolve a mountain of 3,000 lawsuits from state and local governments, Native American tribes, unions and others that accuse the company of helping to spark the overdose epidemic.
Oxygen supplies grow precarious amid COVID surge
Deaths are on the rise, averaging more than 1,300 a day, in what health officials predicted would happen as result of the massive rise in cases and hospitalizations over the last month.
Indiana schools get incentive to require classroom masks
Gov. Eric Holcomb issued a new statewide executive order that eases quarantine requirements for students if all children and adults in the school were wearing masks throughout the day.
State reports 4,822 new COVID-19 cases, 29 more deaths
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 dipped slightly, from 2,300 on Monday to 2,294 on Tuesday. More than 28% of Indiana’s intensive care unit beds are occupied by COVID patients.
Delta variant poised to steal Christmas with empty shelves, long waits, higher prices
Analysts say they expect supply-chain issues to cause widespread shortages, less selection and higher prices for a number of popular holiday gifts, including gaming consoles, TVs, toys and sneakers.
Reich urges vaccinations in wake of Colts’ COVID-19 absences
With four projected starters on the reserve/COVID-19 list, one of the NFL’s least-vaccinated teams is facing new scrutiny
Indiana COVID-19 death toll surges past 14,000
Tuesday’s health department report contained the highest number of new deaths from COVID since Feb. 12. Meanwhile, hospitalizations due to COVID-19 continued to climb statewide.
Compliance mixed for Indiana University’s vaccine mandate
The highest student vaccination rates are at the largest IU campuses in Bloomington and Indianapolis. But rates were much lower at the five other principal regional campuses.
QB Wentz to sit out as Colts add three starters to COVID-19 list
COVID-19 has been a concern for the Colts, who have consistently ranked near the bottom of the league in vaccination rates.
Record numbers of COVID-19 cases reported in Indiana schools
More than 5,500 new cases were reported among Indiana students in Monday’s weekly update of the state’s coronavirus school dashboard.
Indiana health commissioner defends maskless wedding photo
Dr. Kristina Box said in a statement that she “made an informed decision” to take off her mask while dancing or talking at a recent family wedding with guests fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Several social media comments called Box’s actions hypocritical.
Roche Diagnostics says all U.S. employees must be vaccinated by Nov. 15
Roche Diagnostics is requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for all 8,000 people in its U.S. workforce, including about 4,500 in Indianapolis. Employees will have until Nov. 15 to get fully vaccinated, or will be terminated, the company said in a statement.
Virus variant batters airline bookings for Labor Day weekend
After a surge in bookings early this summer, U.S. airline passengers are planning fewer trips as the spread of the coronavirus delta variant continues to discourage travel.