INDIANAPOLIS — Here are Friday'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 5 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.
ISDH update
The Indiana State Department of Health reported that another 1,918 Indiana residents were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Friday morning. The total number of Hoosiers now considered fully vaccinated is 3,389,449.
A total of 543,750 booster doses have now been administered to Indiana residents.
The health department also reported 2,807 new cases and 71 additional deaths Friday. The state has recorded a total of 1,049,575 cases and 16,518 deaths.
The total number of positive cases now includes 3,952 historic reinfection cases since Sept 1, 2021. ISDH announced that it be including reinfection cases in the total number of positive cases moving forward.
Disease center urges Germans to cancel or avoid big events
Germany’s disease control center is calling for people to cancel or avoid large events and to reduce their contacts as the country’s coronavirus infection rate hits the latest in a string of new highs.
The center said Friday that Germany’s infection rate climbed to 263.7 new cases per 100,000 residents over seven days, up from 249.1 the previous day. Another 48,640 new cases were reported after the daily total topped 50,000 for the first time on Thursday.
While the infection rate isn’t yet as high as in some other European countries, its relentless rise has set off alarm bells for German officials.
Johnson & Johnson to split into two companies
Johnson & Johnson is splitting into two companies, separating the division that sells Band-Aids and Listerine, from its medical device and prescription drug business.
The company said Friday the move will help improve the focus and speed of each company to address trends in their different industries.
The company selling prescription drugs and medical devices will keep Johnson & Johnson as its name, the company said Friday. That company will include treatments such as Darzalex, Erleada, Imbruvica, Stelara and Tremfya as well as medical device solutions across interventional solutions, orthopaedics, surgery and vision.
The prescription drug arm also makes one of three COVID-19 vaccines currently approved for use in the United States.
The new consumer health company will house brands including Neutrogena, Aveeno, Tylenol, Listerine, Johnson’s, and Band-Aid. It is expected to generate revenue of approximately $15 billion for the year.
A name was not disclosed for the new company.
Latest US, world numbers
There have been more than 46.85 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States as of 3:30 a.m. Friday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 759,600 deaths recorded in the U.S.
Worldwide, there have been more than 251.97 million confirmed coronavirus cases with more than 5.08 million deaths and more than 7.37 billion vaccine doses 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.
Marion County opens kids-only vaccine clinic for ages 5-11
The Marion County Public Health Department has opened a COVID-19 vaccination site on the west side of Indianapolis specifically for children ages 5-11.
As of Thursday night, about 800 kids in Marion County have rolled up their sleeves. Health Department Director Dr. Virginia Caine said she is pleased with the turnout. “It’s a good beginning for a first week,” she said.
After seeing such high demand for the vaccine, Dr. Caine said the county decided to open the kids-only clinic to make appointments easier and more accessible.
“What we found out is that at our other clinics, we were having a lot of adults fill up those appointments a lot quicker than the parents with children and it was creating a barrier,” said Caine.
Marion County health officials said they aren’t worried about running out of the vaccine and say more shipments will be on the way.
The clinics will take place at 3685 Commercial Drive in the Lafayette Place shopping area south of 38th Street and west of Lafayette Road.
Riley Hospital to hold vaccine clinic for kids ages 5-11
Riley Children's Health will also host COVID-19 vaccine clinics for younger children over the next two months.
The pop-up clinics for children ages 5 to 11 will be held from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on four Saturdays over the next five weeks. The first clinic will be held this Saturday, Nov. 13, with the others taking place Nov. 20, Dec. 4 and Dec. 11.
The clinics, which are only for children ages 5 to 11, are being held in the lobby of the Simon Family Tower at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health. Visitors to the clinic can park in the Simon Family Tower parking garage and have their parking validated when their child gets their shot.
The clinics require an appointment, which can be made by visiting ourshot.in.gov and searching for "HSP Riley Kids Pop-Up VAX" in the 46202 ZIP code.
Face masks are required for those who attend the clinic.