UPDATE: St. Elmo reopens as officials say no customers were at risk of COVID exposure
On Monday, St. Elmo reported a COVID-related death to the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
St. Elmo violated public health order last summer, report says
A Marion County Public Health Department inspector found in August that St. Elmo Steak House had violated a public health order mandating closure of bar areas. The restaurant passed subsequent inspections in September and March.
Younger, unvaccinated Hoosiers driving uptick in cases
Cases among those 20-39 years old increased 40% in the last two weeks, according to Micah Pollak, associate professor of economics at Indiana University Northwest.
COVID mutants multiply as scientists race to decode variations
A key mystery plumbed early-on by top scientists has been what type of virus the coronavirus will prove to be. So far, it looks more similar to influenza, which shape-shifts all the time and requires annual revaccination, than it does measles.
Indiana reports 1 new COVID-19 death, 762 cases
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 increased from 693 on Saturday to 704 on Sunday.
Dr. Virginia Caine: Don’t let up on public health precautions
I can confidently say that bringing the buzz of college basketball back to our city was only possible through the everyone’s efforts to mask up, socially distance, and operate within the constructs of necessary public health orders. We must not let up now.
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IBJ Podcast: Indiana’s vaccine rollout has been smooth—but not as fast as many states
IBJ health care reporter John Russell dives into the numbers with host Mason King, and they explore how soon herd immunity might stop the pandemic.
From child care to COVID, rising job market faces obstacles
The most optimistic economists predict the nation could produce as many as 10 million more jobs this year and restore the labor market to its pre-pandemic level. Yet, even in normal times, it would be hard to regain all those jobs so quickly. And these aren’t normal times.
Plump still big hit at NCAA Tourney time
At age 84, the affable, silver-haired Bobby Plump remains one of the state’s top basketball ambassadors and nothing, not a pandemic or an unprecedented NCAA Tournament, can keep those yearning to meet him away.
UPDATE: Nine St. Elmo employees test positive for COVID-19
The operator of St. Elmo Steak House, one of downtown’s oldest restaurants and a top draw for tourists, said late Saturday night that the eatery was closing for a “deep cleaning.”
Indiana reports no new COVID-19 deaths in its daily update
The Indiana State Department of Health on Sunday reported zero new deaths from COVID-19 in its daily report for the first time since mid-March 2020, in the opening week of the pandemic in Indiana.
Frontline workers grateful for spotlight at Final Four concert
About 2,000 health care, public safety and hospitality workers were on the floor or seated nearby for Miley Cyrus’ musical tribute on Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium.
NCAA fan’s death prompts contact-tracing investigation in Indiana
Health officials said Saturday they are investigating whether anyone was exposed to COVID-19 by Alabama residents following Friday night’s death of a fan who had been in Indianapolis for March Madness.
State’s daily COVID-19 count rises by 1,159, deaths by 5
The state said more than 1.22 million Hoosiers had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Saturday. More than 1.75 million had received the first dose of a two-dose vaccination.
Final Four ticket prices setting records due to limited capacity
Fortune magazine reported that ticket prices are 145% higher than any other Final Four in history. Brokers say the prices would be even higher if a Midwestern team was in the final rounds.
Volunteers key to city’s March Madness efforts
Volunteers are coordinating bus transportation for teams, running to the store for toothpaste for players, sanitizing practice courts, doing laundry for the teams, beautifying the city with new trees, picking up trash, setting up seating pods in the venues and assisting out-of-town media and other guests with just about anything they may need.
Health department cites two downtown bars for COVID-19 violations
The South Meridian Street bars, Tiki Bob’s Cantina and The Patron Saint, were cited for multiple violations including not requiring masks and social distancing. Both establishments corrected the violations, the health department said.
Poll: Many people remain reluctant to get vaccinated for COVID
The holdouts are leery about possible side effects. They tend to be Republican, and they are usually younger and less susceptible to becoming critically ill or dying if they catch COVID-19.
Indiana’s COVID vaccine rollout gets mixed reviews
While the state’s rollout of eligibility for the vaccine has come under some fire, many Hoosiers have begun planning for a summer and fall free from worry, ready to resume their normal lives.
COVID-19 cases top 1,000 in Indiana for third straight day
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 rose from 677 on Wednesday to 697 on Thursday.
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