INDIANAPOLIS — Here are Monday's latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic, including the latest news on COVID-19 vaccinations and testing in Indiana.
Registrations for the vaccine are now open for Hoosiers 12 and older through the Indiana State Department of Health. This story will be updated over the course of the day with more news on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vaccinated college students can get a $10 Meijer coupon
As more colleges and universities make COVID-19 vaccinations a requirement, Meijer is offering students $10 off any purchase when they complete the process.
The incentive program begins Monday and continues through the fall semester.
Students will need to get their first COVID-19 dose by Sept. 30 at a Meijer pharmacy. After the final shot, students will receive the coupon.
If you'd like to take part, you can walk into any Meijer pharmacy, set up an appointment by texting COVID to 75049, or visit Meijer's website.
ISDH update
The Indiana State Department of Health is reporting another 10,927 Hoosiers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, bringing the total to 2,982,477.
A total of 2,931 new positive cases were reported over the weekend. There have been 786,272 positive cases in Indiana since the start of the pandemic.
There were no deaths reported over the weekend from COVID-19. The death toll stands at 13,634.
Community Health Network makes changes in visitor policy
Community Health Network has announced measures they say will protect patients and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Today, the health network will implement new visitor restrictions at all of its facilities.
They will allow patients up to two visitors over the age of 18, depending on type of care and location.
Community Health Network said the changes "reflect the best evidence-based information available to keep patients, visitors and caregivers safe."
"We have a very highly contagious variant that we haven't seen before," said Dr. Ram Yeleti, chief physician executive for Community Health Network. "So whether you’re vaccinated or not vaccinated, the story is different today than it was a couple of months ago."
Click here to read more about the updated policy.
Fauci hopeful COVID vaccines get full OK by FDA within weeks
The U.S. government’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, says he's hopeful that the Food and Drug Administration will give full approval to the coronavirus vaccine by month’s end. He's predicting the potential move will spur a wave of vaccine mandates in the private sector, as well as schools and universities.
The FDA has only granted emergency-use approval of the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, but the agency is expected to soon give full approval to Pfizer.
The Biden administration says that the federal government does not have the authority to mandate vaccinations beyond the federal workforce, but is increasingly urging state and local governments, as well as businesses, to consider such mandates.
Canada begins allowing vaccinated US citizens to visit again
Canada is lifting its prohibition on Americans crossing the border to shop, vacation or visit, but the United States is keeping similar restrictions in place for Canadians.
The reopening Monday is part of a bumpy return to normalcy from COVID-19 travel bans. The border has been closed to nonessential travel since March 2020 to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The U.S. has said it will extend its closure to Canadians making nonessential trips until at least Aug. 21, which also applies to the Mexican border. The lopsided rules on one of the world’s longest and busiest land borders is unsurprisingly being met with cheers and jeers.
Latest US, world numbers
There have been more than 35.7 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States as of midnight ET Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 616,800 deaths recorded in the U.S.
Worldwide, there have been more than 202.6 million confirmed coronavirus cases with more than 4.29 million deaths. More than 4.34 billion vaccine doses have been administered worldwide.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness like pneumonia, or death.