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 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, IU Health update
The Indiana State Department of Health reported 3,005 new positive cases of COVID-19 on Monday. Just over 14% of the new tests administered came back positive. A total of 1,162,284 positive cases have been identified in Indiana since the start of the pandemic.
There were also three additional deaths reported Monday, bringing the total to 17,471 Hoosiers who have died from COVID-19.
Monday afternoon, IU Health reported 513 COVID patients in their hospitals. The peak number over the summer and fall was 459 patients and the highest number reached last winter was 517.
2021 COVID deaths surpass 2020
As 2021 comes to an end, the world is getting closer to the two-year mark of the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has contributed to the deaths of more than 5 million people, according to the World Health Organization.
As of Dec. 10, there have been 791,130 COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. during the entirety of the pandemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of those deaths, 385,361 were in 2020 and 405,769 have been in 2021 so far.
Public health experts say multiple factors have contributed to the 2021 COVID-19 death toll, from not enough people being vaccinated to the emergence of the more contagious delta variant to people taking fewer safety precautions.
ISDH vaccination update
The Indiana State Department of Health reported that another 13,004 Indiana residents were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Monday morning. The total number of Hoosiers now considered fully vaccinated is 3,501,249.
A total of 1,077,531 booster doses have now been administered to Indiana residents.
Latest US, world numbers
There have been more than 49.93 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States as of 12 p.m. Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 797,400 deaths recorded in the U.S.
Worldwide, there have been more than 270.33 million confirmed coronavirus cases with more than 5.3 million deaths and more than 8.46 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.
UK scientists urge more restrictions to fight omicron surge
British scientists are warning that the government may need to introduce tougher restrictions to slow the growth of the omicron coronavirus variant. U.K. health officials say omicron is spreading much more quickly than the delta strain and is likely to become the dominant variant in Britain within days.
Concern about the new variant led Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative government this week to reintroduce mask mandates and urge people to work from home. But many scientists say that's unlikely to be enough. Scientists at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said Saturday that omicron could cause between 25,000 and 75,000 deaths in England in the next five months if no other restrictions are put into place.
Pfizer booster doses now ready for all Hoosiers 16 and up
Hoosiers age 16 and older can receive a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 if they received their second dose at least six months ago.
The Indiana State Department of Health announced the eligibility Friday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday approved the administration of a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine for individuals 16 and older following the Food and Drug Administration’s decision to expand its emergency use authorization to include 16- and 17-year-olds.
Hoosiers aged 16 and older who want to obtain a booster dose should go to www.ourshot.in.gov and look for a location that carries the Pfizer vaccine or call Indiana 211 (866-211-9966) for assistance.
December schedule for testing, vaccine sites in Marion County
The Marion County Public Health Department announced the December schedule for its COVID-19 vaccine clinics and testing sites.
The clinics will offer vaccines for people 12 and up, pediatric doses for children 5-11 and booster shots for adults 18 and older who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months prior. Walk-ins are accepted, and appointments can be made at ourshot.in.gov or by calling 211.
Note: all sites will be closed Dec. 23-25, and Dec. 31.
- Indianapolis Public Library Martindale-Brightwood Branch, 2435 N. Sherman Dr. (Ages 12 and up only)
- Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursdays 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Fridays 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Indianapolis Public Library College Avenue Branch, 4180 N. College Ave. (Ages 12 and up only)
- Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursdays 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Fridays 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Northeast District Health Office, 6042 E. 21st St.
- Mondays 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 18 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Eagledale Plaza Health Office, 2802 Lafayette Road, Suite 13
- Tuesdays 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Northwest District Health Office, 6940 N. Michigan Road
- Thursdays 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 11 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- South District Health Office, 7551 S. Shelby St.
- Mondays 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- ACTION Health Center, 2868 N. Pennsylvania St. (Pfizer only)
- Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 11 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.