Ind. reports 163 new cases of COVID-19 to Vanderburgh Co.

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INDIANA (WFIE) – Indiana reported 1,461 new positive cases of COVID-19 and six new deaths on Friday.

That brings the state’s pandemic total to 771,299 cases and 13,576 deaths.

“We believe this is a significant increase in the number of cases,” said Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box.

Statewide map shows 163 new cases in Vanderburgh County, 56 new cases in Warrick County, 30 new cases in Gibson County, 23 new cases in Posey County, 12 new cases in Perry County, 10 new cases in Dubois County and four new cases in Spencer and Pike counties.

On Friday, Warrick and Gibson counties were at the “orange” advisory level, while surrounding counties were at “yellow”.

Indiana health officials also provided a statewide coronavirus update on Friday afternoon.

They have encouraged people to get vaccinated because the rates of cases are increasing.

Last year, the state reported 900 cases per day. This week, we are seeing over 900 cases per day.

Dr Box says it may sound like déjà vu, but a lot has changed since the same time last year.

“Today we have the most powerful tool available to prevent disease,” says Dr Box, “in the form of three highly effective vaccines.”

The bad news is that Dr Box says only half of the state’s eligible population is fully vaccinated.

Officials also said Hoosiers should follow guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and wear masks indoors in areas with high COVID-19 cases.

Despite the increase in cases, Dr Box says the state is not ready to reinstate a mask warrant.

“We are really trying to empower and have clearly heard from local politicians and schools,” says Dr Box, “that they want to make these decisions locally”.

Executives say anyone, vaccinated or not, should get tested if they come in contact with someone who tests positive.

Dr Box confirmed that “close contact” is always considered anyone who is within six feet for more than 15 minutes.

They say if more people were vaccinated, the state would not see the virus mutating or the number of cases increasing.

“I know that many Hoosiers have different opinions about the masks, the vaccine, and the pandemic as a whole,” says Dr. Box. “What I hope is that we all share the personal responsibility to do no harm to others.”

Hoosiers aged 12 and over can be vaccinated against COVID-19. Walk-in clinics are available in most areas.

You can also make an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccination at https://ourshot.in.gov.

Those who don’t have a computer or cell phone can call 211.

[You can see more statistics and testing or vaccine locations on the Indiana coronavirus website]

Here are the coronavirus totals in our part of Indiana.

Vanderburgh Co. – 23,431 cases, 405 deaths
Cie Dubois – 6,301 cases, 118 deaths
Warrick Co. – 8,150 cases, 157 deaths
Perry Co. – 1,919 cases, 39 deaths
Posey Co. – 2,854 cases, 35 deaths
Gibson Co. – 4,672 cases, 96 deaths
Spencer Co. – 2,397 cases, 31 deaths
Pike Co. – 1,434 cases, 34 deaths

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