INDIANAPOLIS — Wednesday's latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic.
Gov. Holcomb and state leaders provide update
Governor Holcomb began today's briefing by stating that rumors that Indiana would shut down and schools would go 100 percent virtual are false.
Dr. Box made the point that hospitals and health care providers are facing burnout as we see a COVID-19 positivity rate of 8.7 percent for the past week and hospitalizations are at the highest level since the start of the pandemic.
The National Guard is expected in all long term facilities by the end of the month.
Dr. Box also stated that the state doesn't when we will receive a vaccine. The health department was originally told it would be mid or late November, but they're unsure if that timeline will hold.
ISDH Update
The Indiana State Department of Health is reporting 3,756 new cases and 25 more deaths.
A total of 4,224 Hoosiers have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic and nearing 200,000 total confirmed cases.
As of Wednesday, the state's unique 7-day positivity rate had increased to 8.7 percent. More than 3 million tests have been administered statewide.
The state Department of Health will offer free drive-thru testing sites in the following locations today through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.:
Crown Point
Lake County Health Department
2900 W. 93rd Ave.
Martinsville
Morgan County Fairgrounds
1749 Hospital Dr.
Wabash
Wabash Testing Clinic
1360 Manchester Ave.
West Lafayette
White Horse Christian Center
1780 Cumberland Ave.
Latest U.S., world numbers
There have been more than 9.38 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. as of 8 a.m. ET Wednesday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 232,600 deaths and 3.7 million people recovered.
Worldwide, there have been more than 47.5 million confirmed cases with more than 1.2 million deaths and 31.6 million recoveries.
The real number of people infected by the virus around the world is believed to be much higher — perhaps 10 times higher in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — given testing limitations and the many mild cases that have gone unreported or unrecognized.
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.
Todd Rokita tests positive
Attorney General candidate Todd Rokita has tested positive for COVID-19.
A statement released by his campaign Tuesday said Rokita was exposed to COVID-19 by someone not connected with any of his campaign activities.
Rokita recently began developing symptoms and was tested for the virus. He and his family are quarantining and following state guidelines.
Rokita was declared the winner of the attorney general race Tuesday evening.
RELATED: Decision 2020 live blog
Purdue-Wisconsin game canceled
Purdue's football game at Wisconsin Saturday has been canceled and will not be rescheduled.
Wisconsin Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez made the announcement Tuesday.
Alvarez' comments were posted on the UW football website:
"I share in the disappointment of our student-athletes and staff. We have seen a level of improvement in our testing numbers, but not enough to give us confidence to resume normal activities and play our game on Saturday. We will continue to test regularly, take the proper health-related precautions and look forward to getting our team back on the field as soon as possible."
The school has reported five positive COVID-19 PCR tests since Saturday, Oct. 31. The five tests are made up of two staff members and three student-athletes. Between Oct. 27-Nov. 2, 10 student-athletes and 11 staff registered positive tests.