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.
CVS Health, Chevron mandate COVID vaccines for some employees
Health care giant CVS Health and oil and gas giant Chevron both said Monday they would soon require COVID-19 vaccinations for some employees as the delta variant causes cases to rise. The announcements came on the same day that the FDA gave full approval to the Pfizer vaccine. A few hours later, President Joe Biden called on more U.S. companies to require their employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
CVS said its nurses, care managers and corporate staff will be required to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 31. The company said pharmacists working in CVS stores will have until Nov. 30 to be fully vaccinated.
Chevron said Monday it will require COVID vaccinations for employees working offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as some onshore support personnel and those who travel internationally, The New York Times, Bloomberg and Fox News reported. The Wall Street Journal says the company is now evaluating whether to impose a vaccine mandate throughout its entire workforce.
Rev. Jesse Jackson and wife remain hospitalized for COVID-19
Civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson and his wife, Jacqueline, remained hospitalized Monday after testing positive for COVID-19, family members said.
Jesse Jackson, 79, has been fully vaccinated, receiving his first shot in January at a public event where he urged others to do the same. But Jacqueline Jackson, 77, has not been vaccinated, according to longtime family spokesman Frank Watkins. He declined to elaborate Monday.
The couple, married nearly 60 years, were admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, family members announced Saturday, with their age as a factor. A day later, their son Jonathan Jackson said both parents were resting comfortably at the hospital and “responding positively to their treatments.”
Jacqueline Jackson is also a civil rights activist who has traveled worldwide to advocate for causes. The couple has five children together.
Noblesville middle school temporarily going virtual
Noblesville East Middle School is moving to temporary virtual instruction beginning Tuesday, Aug. 24.
School officials said 20 percent of the school population is currently absent due to illness, including 50 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases last week and 12 more Monday. The 20 percent does not include students who were in direct contact with COVID-positive individuals, but it does include those who were absent for other, non-COVID illnesses.
School officials said the spike in illness is like nothing they have ever seen.
According to the school, one pod will return to school Thursday, Aug. 26, while another will return Monday, Aug. 30. All other school teams return to school Tuesday, Aug. 31.
No other Noblesville schools are impacted at this time.
Purdue: 79% of students and staff vaccinated for COVID-19
Purdue University officials say 87% of Purdue University students living in residence halls on the West Lafayette campus say they're fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Overall, school officials say 79% of students, faculty and staff associated with the West Lafayette campus — 43,130 — submitted proof of full vaccination just days before classes began Monday.
Of those, school officials say 84% of students living in residence halls reported being fully vaccinated, about the same percentage reported by Purdue's athletes, according to data updated Aug. 17.
Among Purdue's faculty, 90% have shown proof of full vaccination.
State reports 15K new fully vaccinated residents, 1,685 new cases, 31 additional deaths
The Indiana State Department of Health reported another 15,440 fully vaccinated residents as of Monday morning, bringing the state's total to 3,053,439 Hoosiers who have received either both shots of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
ISDH also reported 1,685 new cases of COVID-19, which brings to 825,549 the number of Indiana residents now known to have had the novel coronavirus.
Deaths from the virus now total 13,828 since the beginning of the pandemic. That number represents 31 additional deaths reported since Friday. Another 435 probable deaths have been reported in patients who died with COVID-19 symptoms but had no positive test is on record.
A total of 3,826,745 unique individuals have been tested in Indiana.
Big Ten announces forfeit policy
Big Ten Conference leaders announced Monday that if one team is unable to play a conference game due to COVID-19, that contest will be declared a forfeit and count as a loss in the league standings. The other team will gain a win in the standings. If both teams are unable to play, the game will go in the books as a "no contest."
The Big Ten joins other Power Five conferences who have made similar announcements including the Big 12, ACC and Pac-12. The Southeastern Conference has not released its policy, but Commissioner Greg Sankey has warned that teams that can’t play will forfeit and that games will not be rescheduled.
The Big Ten's first conference game of the season will take place on Saturday, Aug. 28 between Nebraska and Illinois before most FBS schools kickoff the following weekend.
Pentagon to mandate COVID-19 vaccine after Pfizer shot gains full FDA approval
The Pentagon says it will require service members to receive the COVID-19 vaccine now that the Pfizer vaccine has received full approval.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Monday that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is making good on his vow earlier this month to require the shots once the Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine.
Kirby said the guidance is being developed and a timeline will be provided in the coming days.
In a memo on Aug. 9, Austin said he'd seek the president’s approval to make the vaccine mandatory no later than mid-September, or immediately upon FDA licensure “whichever comes first.”
Kirby said the move is an effort to ensure the safety of service members. Concerns about the virus are especially acute in the military, where service members live and work closely together in barracks and on ships, increasing the risks of rapid spreading. Any large virus outbreak in the military could affect America’s ability to defend itself in any security crisis.
'COVID Stops Here' campaign to recognize Indiana businesses
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Wellness Council of Indiana are teaming up on a "COVID Stops Here" campaign.
It will recognize businesses with at least 70 percent of their workforce vaccinated.
The campaign will have four levels of vaccination status: platinum at 100% vaccinated, gold at 90%, silver at 80% and bronze at 70%.
Employers can ask employees about their vaccine status or require proof of vaccination. That is not a HIPAA violation because HIPAA rules do not apply to employers or employment records.
Interested businesses can click here to learn more about the campaign and apply.
FDA gives full approval for Pfizer vaccine
U.S. regulators with the Food and Drug Administration have now given full approval to Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine.
The FDA said in a statement Monday that it the move is a "milestone as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic."
Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock went on the say in the statement, "While this and other vaccines have met the FDA’s rigorous, scientific standards for emergency use authorization, as the first FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine, the public can be very confident that this vaccine meets the high standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality the FDA requires of an approved product."
Central Indiana mobile vaccine clinics this week
Vaccinations will be offered from 8 a.m. to noon today and Tuesday at the Colts Training Camp, 19000 Grand Park Blvd., Westfield, IN 46074. Vaccinations and free COVID-19 testing will be offered from noon to 8 p.m. on the following schedule:
Monday-Wednesday, noon-8 p.m:
Hancock Wellness Center
888 W. New Road, Greenfield, IN 46140
Highland Middle School
2108 N. 200 North, Anderson, IN 46012
Robe-Ann Park
405 S. Bloomington St., Greencastle, IN 46135
Kokomo Event Center
1500 N. Reed Road, Kokomo, IN 46901
Additional free testing and vaccination clinics
Today, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.:
Muncie Goodwill
5035 W. Hessler Rd., Muncie, IN 47304
Greenwood Goodwill
709 US Highway 31 N., Greenwood, IN 46142
Kokomo Goodwill
2258 E. Markland Ave., Kokomo, IN 46901
Bloomington-Yost Goodwill
2115 S. Yost Ave., Bloomington, IN 47403
Today, 2:30-4:30 p.m.:
Muncie Goodwill South
1413 E. 29th St., Muncie, IN 47302
Southport Goodwill
6775 S. Emerson Ave., Southport, IN 46237
Kokomo West Goodwill
2222 W. Sycamore St., Kokomo, IN 46901
Bloomington Goodwill
1284 Liberty Dr., Bloomington, IN 47401
Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.:
Westfield Goodwill
15050 Greyhound Ct., Westfield, IN 46032
Carmel Goodwill
1122 Keystone Way, Carmel, IN 46032
Lafayette Goodwill
101 Shenandoah Dr., Lafayette, IN 47905
Columbus Goodwill
980 Creekview Dr., Columbus, IN 47201
Tuesday, 2:30-4:30 p.m.:
Carey Road Goodwill
17404 Carey Rd., Westfield, IN 46074
West Carmel Goodwill
10481 Walnut Creek Dr., Carmel, IN 46032
West Lafayette Goodwill
200 Sagamore Pkwy West, West Lafayette, IN 47906
Columbus West Goodwill
55 Carr Hill Rd., Columbus, IN 47201
Wednesday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
East Goodwill Outlet
4105 N. Franklin Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46226
Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.:
West Goodwill Outlet
6650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46241
South Goodwill Outlet
927 N. Emerson Ave., Greenwood, IN 46143
Wednesday, 2:30-4:30 p.m.:
West Washington Goodwill
5640 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46241
Emerson Pointe Goodwill
989 N. Emerson Ave., Greenwood, IN 46143
Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.:
Statehouse Market
430 Robert D. Orr Plaza, Indianapolis, 46204
Saturday, 4-11 p.m.
Feast of Lanterns
1800 Nowland Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46201
Saturday, noon-4 p.m.
Phillips Temple Community Health and Wellness
210 E. 34th St., Indianapolis, IN 46205
Patients with an appointment at a state-hosted public vaccination site can get a free Uber or Lyft ride. Call 2-1-1 or (866) 211-9966 to receive a voucher to cover the cost of an Uber ride to and from your vaccination appointments. IU Health offers free Lyft rides to any vaccine site in the state. Call 1.888.IUHEALTH (888-484-3258) and choose option 9 if you need transportation to your vaccine appointment.
WHO head calls for two-month vaccine booster moratorium
The head of the World Health Organization on Monday called for a two-month moratorium on administering booster shots of COVID-19 vaccines as a means of reducing global vaccine inequality and preventing the emergence of new coronavirus variants.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters in Hungary's capital, Budapest, that he was “really disappointed” with the scope of vaccine donations worldwide as many countries struggle to provide first and second doses to more than small fractions of their populations while wealthier nations maintain growing vaccine stockpiles.
Tedros called on countries offering third vaccine doses "to share what can be used for boosters with other countries so (they) can increase their first and second vaccination coverage.”
Several countries including the United States, Israel, and Hungary, as well as others in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, are already offering or planning to offer their populations COVID-19 booster shots.
Last week, U.S. health officials announced plans to dispense COVID-19 booster shots to all Americans in an effort to shore up protection against a surge in cases attributed to the delta variant and signs that the vaccines’ effectiveness is slipping.
Westfield Washington Schools mask mandate begins Monday
All students and staff at Westfield Washington Schools are required to wear a face covering, regardless of vaccination status, beginning Monday, Aug. 23.
The mask mandate was supposed to begin Wednesday, Aug. 18 but was delayed to Monday.
Masked or unmasked students will still be considered close contacts if they spend 15 minutes or more within 3 feet of someone who tests positive.
Latest US, world numbers
There have been more than 37.7 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States as of 12:30 a.m. Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 628,500 deaths recorded in the U.S.
Worldwide, there have been more than 211.8 million confirmed coronavirus cases with more than 4.43 million deaths. More than 4.92 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.
Avon Schools to consider mask mandate for all schools at school board meeting Monday
The superintendent of the Avon Community School Corporation has asked the district's school board to consider requiring masks for all students as rising coronavirus cases and quarantines impede the district's efforts in the classroom.
Last week, the school board voted to require masks at elementary and intermediate schools, where coronavirus cases and quarantines had been the most prevalent.
Superintendent Dr. Scott M. Wyndham wrote a letter to families Saturday, Aug. 21, highlighting rising coronavirus cases and quarantines in the district's middle schools and high school.
Wyndham is recommending the district require masks for all students Pre-K through high school. He says the number of quarantines is hindering the district's ability to function and teach its students.
Wyndham said he provided this data to the district school board, along with his recommendation that masks be required at all schools. The board will discuss whether additional changes to the district's protocols are necessary during its next meeting on Monday, Aug. 23 at 5:30 p.m.
To allow for social distancing, Monday’s school board meeting will take place in the auditorium at Avon Middle School South. Wyndham said the meeting is open to the public, but there won't be an opportunity for public comment.
Reports: FDA could give Pfizer COVID vaccine full approval Monday
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to give full approval to Pfizer-BioNTech's two-dose coronavirus vaccine this week, according to multiple reports.
Right now, both the two-dose Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine all currently have emergency use authorization from the FDA, a mechanism that allows for the use of non-FDA approved medical products when, "there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives," according to the FDA.
According to a report from Politico, the incoming approval would affect all adults 16 and older. White House officials who've spoken to Politico say they hope the approval will kickstart a surge in vaccination rates, as many have said they would be more likely to get the shot if it were fully FDA approved.
The New York Times has reported that the administration was aiming to push the approval through on Friday, Aug. 20, but still had a lot of paperwork to get through. While the full approval of at least one of the current COVID-19 vaccines has been widely considered to be forthcoming, there was far from an expected date. According to New York Times sources, the administration had set an internal goal to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine by Labor Day.
What other people are reading:
- Thousands of motorcyclists parade by Riley Hospital to boost patients' morale
- Small businesses struggle to receive orders after supply trucks fail to arrive
- Police ask for help identifying body of pregnant woman found in Lake Michigan
- WATCH: Kentucky racehorse runs along Indiana highway after escaping track
- Indiana State Fair closes after more than 3 weeks of summer fun