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.
State reports 1,724 new COVID cases, no new deaths
The Indiana State Department of Health reported Monday that 1,724 more Hoosiers have tested positive for COVID-19. That brings the total confirmed case count in the state to 954,230 since March 2020.
No new deaths from COVID-19 were reported when the daily report was released late Monday afternoon.
The state's vaccine dashboard did not have updated numbers on Sunday's reported vaccinations, due to technical difficulties, but reported 11,018 Hoosiers have become fully vaccinated since Friday. The total number of Hoosiers now considered fully vaccinated is 3,248,740.
Biden to receive COVID booster shot
President Joe Biden will get his COVID-19 booster shot on Monday, as part of the administration's efforts to encourage eligible Americans who have already been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to get an approved booster.
The White House said Biden will deliver remarks and receive his booster at 1 p.m. Eastern. The event is set to take place in the South Court Auditorium at the White House.
State reports 11K more full vaccinations, changes to dashboard updates
The Indiana State Department of Health reported another 11,018 Indiana residents were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Monday morning. The total number of Hoosiers now considered fully vaccinated is 3,248,740.
Beginning Monday, the dashboards at www.coronavirus.in.gov and www.ourshot.in.gov will update daily by 5 p.m. ET.
ISDH said this change will allow for more thorough review of data before it is posted. School and long-term care dashboards will continue to update weekly.
“When we launched these dashboards, our goal was to provide Hoosiers the best data possible to help them understand the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indiana,” said State Health Commissioner Kris Box. “As the pandemic has progressed, we have added a significant number of features and additional dashboards that have exponentially increased the volume of data required to update the dashboards. This increased volume requires more time to vet for accuracy and technical issues. We will work to update the dashboard as quickly as we can each day so that Hoosiers continue to have consistent, accurate information about COVID-19.”
Latest US, world numbers
There have been more than 42.93 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States as of 3:30 a.m. Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 688,000 deaths recorded in the U.S.
Worldwide, there have been more than 231.85 million confirmed coronavirus cases with more than 4.74 million deaths. More than 6.08 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.
United Airlines requiring employees to be vaccinated by Monday; termination proceedings could begin Tuesday
United Airlines set a deadline of Monday, Sept. 27 for its 67,000 U.S.-based employees to get vaccinated or face termination. However, employees who apply unsuccessfully for an exemption could get more time. They will have five weeks after their denial to get vaccinated.
United said it will start termination proceedings as soon as Tuesday, Sept. 28 against employees who are unvaccinated and have not received an exemption.
Employees who win an exemption will be placed on leave beginning Oct. 2. Some could come back if they wear masks and are tested weekly, although the timing of their return is uncertain.
As of Sept. 22, United said more than 97% of its U.S.-based employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The airline said the new figure does not include the "small number" of employees who are seeking a medical or religious exemption from vaccination.
US has enough COVID-19 vaccines for boosters, kids' shots
With more than 40 million doses of coronavirus vaccines available, U.S. health authorities said they're confident there will be enough for both qualified older Americans seeking booster shots and the young children for whom initial vaccines are expected to be approved in the not-too-distant future.
The spike in demand — expected following last week's federal recommendation on booster shots — would be the first significant jump in months. More than 70 million Americans remain unvaccinated despite the enticement of lottery prizes, free food or gifts and pleas from exhausted health care workers as the average number of deaths per day climbed to more than 1,900 in recent weeks.
RELATED: CDC advisers back booster for certain Americans, Indiana expert weighs in on growing questions
Federal and state health authorities said current supply and steady production of more doses can easily accommodate those seeking boosters or initial vaccination, avoiding a repeat of the frustratingly slow rollout of COVID-19 vaccines across the country early this year.
Robust supply in the U.S enabled President Joe Biden this week to promise an additional 500 million of Pfizer's COVID-19 shots to share with the world, doubling the United States' global contribution. Aid groups and health organizations have pushed the U.S. and other countries to improve vaccine access in countries where even the most vulnerable people haven't had a shot.