Eskenazi spokesman Tom Surber said the decision to divert ambulance traffic to other hospitals was made “out of an abundance of caution.” The diversion began at around 8 a.m. Wednesday and remains in place, he said.
The governor has maintained he won’t reinstate a statewide mask mandate or other restrictions, instead leaving such decisions to local officials.
The updated guidance mostly follow CDC recommendations and come as football practices start across the country.
Airlines for America, a trade group for major U.S. airlines, said it was pleased by reports that the administration plans to make it easier for more foreign travelers to enter the country if they have been vaccinated.
Some experts are calling for mandatory vaccinations at nursing homes, warning that unprotected staff members are endangering residents. Even residents who have been inoculated are vulnerable because many are elderly and frail, with weak immune systems.
The state said more than 2.96 million Hoosiers have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. More than 2.95 million had received the first dose of a two-dose vaccination.
Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, President Joe Biden was uncertain whether the new moratorium could withstand lawsuits about its constitutionality.
The state department of health reported 13 new deaths from COVID-19, lifting the cumulative death total to 13,596.
Starting Tuesday, anyone coming in or occupying public areas of the four courthouses of the Southern District of Indiana must wear face coverings and maintain six feet of social distancing in all public spaces, regardless of vaccination status.
The state said more than 2.95 million Hoosiers had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Monday at 5 a.m. More than 2.94 million had received the first dose of a two-dose vaccination.
State health officials say they have no authority to require anyone to get a vaccine, including state employees.
The league said Thursday that 87.9% of NFL players had received at least one vaccine dose, and that 19 of the 32 teams had more than 90% of their players vaccinated. But with teams’ training camps underway, coronavirus-related issues have persisted.
With COVID numbers on the rise and businesses taking steps to require masks or vaccinations, IBJ is collected tidbits here. Check back regularly for updates.
Hospitalizations rose to 795, up from 781 the previous day. That’s the highest level since May 25, when 810 people were hospitalized in Indiana due to the virus.
Eli Lilly and Co. confirmed to IBJ on Thursday its mask requirement is effective immediately and is based on recommendations earlier this week from the CDC. Many other large employers, however, are still in a wait-and-see mode on imposing new restrictions on employees.
IBJ talked to Dr. Cole Beeler, an infectious disease specialist at Indiana University Health, about vaccines, the CDC’s mask recommendation and more.
Hoping to set a model for employers nationwide, President Joe Biden will announce Thursday that millions of federal workers must show proof they’ve received a coronavirus vaccine or submit to regular testing and stringent social distancing, masking and travel restrictions.
Various government agencies already have announced demands for all their employees to be vaccinated, but the corporate world so far has been taking a more measured approach, even though most lawyers believe the mandates are legal.
The Indiana State Department of Health on Wednesday reported that 1,248 Hoosiers had been diagnosed with COVID-19, the highest number of daily new infections since 1,438 cases were reported on April 29.
Ascension’s decision to require vaccinations follows similar mandates by all three other major health systems here.
