Coronavirus Updates From Governor Eric Holcomb

To date, Indiana has reported 643,305 coronavirus cases and 11,578 deaths.

Here’s what we learned on Wednesday:

• Holcomb noted the state’s drop in COVID numbers, adding that he believes it has “something to do with how we respond to the virus itself and the actions and precautions we take. But it’s a constantly changing era and environment and viruses & mldr; it mutates and we have to be prepared for that as well.
• Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr Kris Box said more than 258,000 Hoosiers have received both doses of the vaccine.
• Box said the state receives about 100,000 doses of the vaccine each week.
• The state’s positivity rate stands at 6.2%, up from 7.7% last week.
• Daily hospital admissions remain below 200. By early December, that number was closer to 500.
• Box said the state began distributing KN-95 masks and rapid tests to schools this week. The state is working to include private schools and early childhood centers.
• Indiana has reported 12 cases of the UK variant of the coronavirus, which is more infectious. Box called on people to continue with mitigation efforts, including wearing masks.
• Indiana Chief Medical Officer Dr Lindsay Weaver said more than 50% of Hoosiers 65 or older had received at least the first dose of the vaccine.
• The next age group will be those aged 60 to 65, or roughly 432,000 Hoosiers. When the state has enough vaccines and has sufficiently vaccinated those 60 and over, eligibility will be extended to those 50 and over.
• The next group after 50 years and older will be Hoosiers at severe risk for complications and death from infection. There are approximately 51,000 such people in the state.
• Weaver said 160 more pharmaceutical sites are expected to start receiving doses of the vaccine on Friday as part of a federal program. These additional sites and doses are in addition to the state’s weekly dose allocation.
• Box said officials knew there were more cases of the UK virus variant in the state than the 12 reported. Those responsible can look to transmissibility in other countries to assess possible spread.
• Weaver said the state had reviewed the CDC’s list of high-risk factors that could lead to serious illness to help determine vaccine eligibility. More than 2 million Hoosiers could be eligible based on this list, the state has had to reduce it based on vaccine availability. Weaver noted that about 82% of Hoosiers considered to be at high risk are also over 50.
• Regarding the decrease in testing, Box said about 38,000 people were tested yesterday and authorities continue to encourage testing. Messaging hasn’t changed, she said, and the state has the same number of sites with the same hours.
• Weaver said that the expected 85% efficacy of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine “is excellent for a vaccine,” noting “we are happy” when the influenza vaccine is 65% effective. Other COVID vaccines are 90% + effective. The Hoosiers will not have a say in the vaccine they receive. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is pending approval, would only consist of a single dose and should not be stored at ultra-low temperatures.
• Box said officials expected the vaccines to be a little less effective than expected in light of the new variants.
• Box said helpers in special needs classes who provide close medical care should get vaccinated.
• Regarding the bill that would limit his emergency powers, Holcomb said he was making sure that “everything” he orders “will go through the constitution”, after being asked about the House vote. to prohibit it from imposing restrictions on churches and allowing the General Assembly to decide. whether to convene a session in an emergency. “I want to make sure that the changes we’re making are constitutional, and I think we all share that, but we come from many different angles,” he said.

Contact IndyStar reporter Elizabeth DePompei at 317-444-6196 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @edepompei.