Indiana reports 55 more deaths from COVID-19, rise in cases
COVID-19 patients now occupy 35.4% of Indiana’s intensive care unit beds.
State reports 87 more COVID deaths, another rise in hospitalizations
Indiana University Health, the state’s largest hospital system, said Wednesday that the Indiana National Guard was supporting 13 of its 16 hospitals statewide with six-person teams.
NBA, players’ union considering return to daily testing
There were 33 players known to be in the league’s health and safety protocols as of Wednesday evening, along with two head coaches—Indiana’s Rick Carlisle and Sacramento interim coach Alvin Gentry—and a number of other staffers.
New guidelines, Booster Day looming as COVID disrupts NBA
Players and coaches (including Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle) are again missing games due to protocols, underscoring what NBA officials have been saying for weeks: The pandemic is still very much a problem.
Colleges go back to drawing board—again—to fight virus
Facing rising infections and a new COVID-19 variant, colleges across the U.S. have once again been thwarted in seeking a move to normalcy and are starting to require booster shots, extend mask mandates, limit social gatherings and, in some cases, revert to online classes.
Biden’s plan for covering OTC virus testing has retro approach
Omicron is not the only reason testing is taking on renewed importance. Anticipated approval of antiviral pills that COVID patients can take at home is also expected to increase demand for fast tests that can provide reliable results.
Kroger ends some COVID-era benefits for unvaccinated employees
Among other changes, the two weeks of paid emergency leave that Kroger has been offering to employees who contract COVID-19 will no longer be extended to the unvaccinated, unless local jurisdictions require otherwise.
Indiana COVID-19 hospitalizations surge again; 90 more deaths reported
As the Delta variant wreaks havoc in Indiana, CDC officials on Tuesday said the omicron variant is rapidly spreading in the United States and could peak in a massive wave of infections as soon as January.
Pfizer confirms COVID pill’s results, potency versus omicron
The prospect of new pills to fight COVID-19 can’t come soon enough for communities in the Northeast and Midwest, where many hospitals are once again being overloaded by incoming virus cases.
Data indicate omicron variant milder, better at evading vaccines
A two-dose Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination appeared to provide just 33% protection against infection during South Africa’s current omicron wave, but 70% protection against hospitalization, according to the analysis.
Hospitalizations from COVID-19 reach highest mark since last year
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have climbed 27% since Dec. 1 and 124% over the past month.
One year of vaccines: Many lives saved, but crisis continues
One year ago, the biggest vaccination drive in American history began with a flush of excitement in an otherwise gloomy December.
Central Indiana initiative named finalist in regional economic challenge
As a finalist, the Central Indiana Initiative, which is led by the city of Indianapolis, will receive a $500,000 grant to further develop its proposed projects. It is the running to win as much as $100 million more.
South African doctors see signs omicron variant milder than delta
Doctors and medical experts suspect that the omicron version really is causing milder COVID-19 than delta, even if it seems to be spreading faster.
Loan defaults at record lows, despite impact of pandemic
Indiana bankers cite federal COVID-19 relief measures as a big reason—but not the only one.
Legislation pits religious freedoms against employer rights
For the past year, Indiana employers have faced the challenge of whether to enforce COVID-19 vaccination mandates on workers who say the vaccines violate their religious beliefs.
GM chief exec says making ventilators in Indiana changed company’s culture
CEO Mary Barra said General Motors now uses the same approach it learned making ventilators at a Kokomo factory for its own electric vehicles, software and partially automated driver-assist systems.
Pandemic mystery: Scientists focus on COVID’s animal origins
Nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the origin of the virus tormenting the world remains shrouded in the unknown.
Overwhelmed by latest surge, hospitals again delay elective surgeries
Some hospitals across Indiana warn they are operating near full capacity due to the latest COVID-19 surge and that their doctors, nurses and other staffers are already exhausted.
FDA expands Pfizer COVID booster, opens extra dose to ages 16-17
On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration gave emergency authorization for 16- and 17-year-olds to get a third dose of the vaccine made by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech—if it’s been six months since their last shot.
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
[email protected] State’s virus-related executive orders State plan to reopen Indiana