INDIANAPOLIS — Here are Thursday'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 reports 4,982 more Hoosiers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Nearly 3.5 million people in Indiana are now fully vaccinated.
ISDH reported 5,653 more cases of the virus Thursday, along with 27 more deaths. Indiana has recorded a total of 1,112,735 cases and 17,060 deaths since the start of the pandemic. Hospitalizations continue to rise. There were 2,317 COVID patients being treated in hospitals Wednesday. The state has 19% of its ICU beds available.
The state also updated stats for breakthrough cases Thursday. There had been a total of 78,033 breakthrough COVID-19 cases, which accounts for 2.264% of fully vaccinated individuals. Of those breakthrough cases, 1,567 (.045% of fully vaccinated individuals) had to be hospitalized and 829 (.024% of fully vaccinated individuals) died.
Hamilton County Health Department hosting town hall on pregnancy and COVID-19
The Hamilton County Health Department will host a town hall on pregnancy and COVID-19 on Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m.
The town hall will answer questions for expectant mothers on getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
Drs. Caroline Rouse and Maria Schmoll, both maternal fetal medicine physicians at IU Health, and Dr. Evan Kreutzer, a board-certified pediatrician at Ascension Medical Group, will lead the discussion and answer questions.
Those interested in participating in the town hall will need to use Microsoft Teams and join through this link.
US to extend mask mandate for travelers through mid-March
The U.S. mandate for travelers to wear masks on airplanes, trains and buses as well as airports and train stations will be extended until mid-March, the White House announced Thursday morning.
Reuters and the New York Times were first to report on the development Wednesday, on the same day the U.S. officially identified the first case of the new omicron variant in the country.
On Thursday, Biden will unveil a winter plan to combat the coronavirus, which also includes tighter COVID-19 testing rules for travelers entering the country. The White House released details of Biden's plan early Thursday, in advance of the speech.
Biden's directive requiring masks on airplanes and other public transit, which had been set to expire in January, will now be extended through at least March 18, the White House said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday that it was working toward requiring that all air travelers to the U.S. be tested for COVID-19 within a day before boarding their flight. Currently those who are fully vaccinated may present a test taken within three days of boarding.
Children's Museum hosting vaccine clinic Thursday for kids, adults
Riley Children's Health is partnering with the Children's Museum of Indianapolis to put on a vaccine clinic Thursday, Dec. 2.
The clinic will offer COVID-19 vaccines for children and adults, booster shots and flu shots. All vaccinations are free and will not require museum admission to access the clinic.
The clinic will be from 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
Latest US, world numbers
There have been more than 48.69 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States as of 3:30 a.m. Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 782,100 deaths recorded in the U.S.
Worldwide, there have been more than 263.53 million confirmed coronavirus cases with more than 5.22 million deaths and more than 8.04 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.
December schedule for testing, vaccine sites in Marion County
The Marion County Public Health Department announced Wednesday 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. and Saturday, Dec. 4 from 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.