Government Eric Holcomb’s Coronavirus News Updates

Indiana has so far reported 643,305 cases of coronavirus and 11,578 deaths.

This is what we learned on Wednesday:

• Holcomb takes note of the declining COVID numbers in the state, adding that he thinks it’s something to do with how we respond to the virus and the actions and precautions we take. But it’s a changing time and environment and virus … it’s changing and we need to be prepared for that too. ‘
• According to Indiana State Health Commissioner Kris Box, more than 258,000 Hoosiers received both doses of the vaccine.
• Box said the state receives about 100,000 doses of vaccine each week.
• The state’s positivity rate is 6.2%, compared to 7.7% last week.
• Daily hospital admissions remain below 200. In December, it 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 centers for early childhood.
• Indiana reported 12 cases of the coronavirus British variant, which is more contagious. Box asked people to continue the mitigation efforts, including wearing masks.
• Indiana’s chief medical officer, dr. Lindsay Weaver, said that more than 50% of Hoosiers 65 or older had at least the first dose of vaccine.
• The next age group is people between 60 and 65 years old, which makes up about 432,000 Hoosiers. When the state has enough vaccine and has vaccinated enough from the age group of 60+, the suitability will be extended to people aged 50 and older.
• The next group after 50+ are Hoosiers with a serious risk of complications and death if infected. There are an estimated 51,000 such people in the state.
• Weaver said an additional 160 pharmacy sites must receive the vaccine dose Friday as part of a federal program. The additional sites and doses are in addition to the weekly allocation from the state.
• Box said officials know there are more cases of the British virus variant in the state than just the twelve reported. Officials can look at portability in other countries to determine possible spread.
• Weaver said the state has reviewed the CDC’s list of high-risk factors that can lead to serious illnesses to determine if the vaccine is eligible. More than 2 million Hoosiers could be eligible based on the list, the state had to limit it based on the availability of vaccines. Weaver noted that about 82% of Hoosiers are considered high risk, also older than 50 years.
• On reduced tests, Box said about 38,000 people were tested yesterday and that officials continue to encourage testing. The messages have not changed, she said, and the state has the same number of sites with the same hours.
• Weaver said the expected Johnson & Johnson vaccine’s 85% efficacy ‘is excellent for a vaccine. Other COVID vaccines are 90% more effective. Hoosiers will not say which vaccine they are receiving. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which awaiting approval, is only one dose and does not need to be stored in ultra-low temperatures.
• Box said officials expect the vaccines to be somewhat less effective than expected in light of the new variants.
• Box said assistants in classrooms with special needs who now provide medical care should be vaccinated.
• On the proposed legislation that would limit his emergency powers, Holcomb said he sees to it that “anything” he instructs “passes constitutional requirements” after he asked his thoughts on the vote in the House to ban him from restricting churches place and to have the General Assembly decide. whether a meeting should be convened during an emergency. “I want to make sure that the changes we make are constitutional, and I think we all share that, but we come from very different angles,” he said.

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