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.
Westfield Washington Schools enacting mask mandate Friday
Westfield Washington Schools announced the entire district will require masks beginning Friday, Jan. 7. The change comes as all but two schools crossed the 1.75% threshold of positive cases.
That threshold was laid out in the district's COVID-19 protocols, released Nov. 8, 2021. Masks or face coverings will be required in al schools buildings before, during and after school activities, including BAC, TOTS and All-Aboard. Per a federal mandate, they'll continue to be required on buses. Masks will continue to be highly recommended for spectators at athletic events.
The mandate will continue until all schools in the district are simultaneously at a positivity rate below 1%.
State reports record 15K positive cases, 150 additional deaths
The Indiana Department of Health reported that another 4,256 Indiana residents were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Thursday morning. The total number of Hoosiers now considered fully vaccinated is 3,572,863.
With 18,837 more booster doses administered, a total of 1,444,231 booster doses have now been given to Indiana residents.
IDOH reported 15,277 new positive cases of COVID-19 as of Thursday. There have been 1,314,688 positive cases in Indiana since the start of the pandemic.
The state reported an additional 150 people died from COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths to 18,794.
Jury trials on hold in Marion County through Jan. 21
Due to surging COVID-19 cases, Marion County will be suspending all jury trials until after Jan. 21. At that point, trial dates will be reset.
Additionally, facial coverings will be required for those 2 and older. Proper wearing of masks will be strongly enforced.
Also, capacity will be limited to 50% in all areas of the courthouse.
Madison County already made a similar move with its courts suspending jury trials past the original Jan. 17 date. The county said it will now wait until it is no longer classified as a "red" county under state health department classifications. A red county has high levels of COVID-19 spread and cases.
Tippecanoe County testing site reduces hours Thursday due to inclement weather
Due to inclement weather, the Indiana Department of Health’s Strike Team testing site in Tippecanoe County will only operate until 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6.
The county health department is asking people to pre-register by clicking here. The hope is that with people pre-registered, the line can move faster and it will reduce time for people being outside in the cold.
CDC: All US cruise ships with passengers have reported COVID-19 cases
The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows all 92 ships with passengers currently embarked on a voyage have met the threshold for investigation by the health agency. The CDC's investigation threshold includes cases reported in 0.10% or more of passengers and at least one case involving crew members.
According to the Washington Post, this week marked the first time that every ship had reached that level of CDC coronavirus investigation.
There are also 18 ships in U.S. waters that only have crew members on board. Of those, 12 have reported no COVID-19 cases during the past 7 days, according to the CDC data posted on Wednesday.
Last week, the CDC warned everyone not to go on cruises, regardless of their vaccination status, because of onboard outbreaks fueled by the omicron variant.
Children's Museum offering vaccination clinic Thursday
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is hosting a vaccination clinic along with Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health.
The clinic will run Thursday, Jan. 6 from 4-8 p.m. at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
The specific vaccinations provided include:
- Pfizer shots for children 5-11 years old
- Pfizer shots for adolescents and adults 12 years old and older
- Pfizer booster shots for anyone eligible 12 years old and older
- Influenza (flu) vaccine for anyone 6 months and older
The walk-in clinic is free, and then, people can visit the museum's $6 First Thursday Night.
Indiana offering booster shots to younger teens following CDC endorsement
Indiana is now offering booster shots to younger teens. This development comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday endorsed an extra Pfizer shot for those ages 12 to 15 and strengthened its recommendation that 16- and 17-year-olds get it, too.
The Indiana Department of Health said Hoosiers aged 12 to 15 who received their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least five months ago can now receive a booster dose in Indiana.
Hoosiers seeking a booster for a child aged 12 or older can go to www.ourshot.in.gov and look for a location that carries the Pfizer vaccine, designed by PVAX, or call Indiana 211 (866-211-9966) for assistance.
IDOH said appointments are recommended, but many sites also accept walk-ins.
Latest US, world numbers
There have been more than 57.76 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 832,100 deaths recorded in the U.S.
Worldwide, there have been more than 297.86 million confirmed coronavirus cases with more than 5.46 million deaths and more than 9.30 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.
Omicron surge vexes parents of children too young for shots
Parents of children too young to be vaccinated are facing difficult choices as COVID cases fueled by the omicron variant rise to record levels and every encounter seems risky.
Families are rethinking visits with grandparents, playtime with other toddlers and trips to the park or library. A setback last month in Pfizer studies of a vaccine for kids under 5 dimmed hopes that shots for tots might come soon.
Efforts are ongoing. Public health authorities say surrounding young kids with people who are vaccinated and masking those 2 and older can help keep them and others safe.
Mayo Clinic fires about 700 employees who failed to comply to COVID vaccine mandate
Approximately 700 Mayo Clinic employees were fired this week for failing to comply to the company's COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
The nonprofit medical center gave all employees until Monday, Jan. 3, 2022 to receive at least their first dose of the vaccine or provide a medical or religious exemption. According to a statement from the Mayo Clinic, about 1% of the 73,000 total employees failed to comply to those requirements.
While Mayo Clinic didn't provide an exact number of employees who failed to meet the vaccine requirement, the statement reads that it's comparable to what other health care organizations have faced.
Novak Djokovic denied entry to Australia, has visa canceled
Novak Djokovic was denied entry into Australia and had his visa canceled after arriving in Melbourne late Wednesday to defend his title at the season-opening tennis major. The Australian Border Force issued a statement saying Djokovic failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet entry requirements and “his visa has been subsequently canceled."
Djokovic flew in after receiving a medical exemption from the strict coronavirus vaccination requirements in place for the Australian Open, where he is a nine-time winner. Australian media reported that Djokovic’s team had applied for the wrong type of visa for a person with a medical exemption.
Djokovic’s lawyers are expected to appeal the decision, which came after the 20-time major winner had to spend more than eight hours at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport waiting to find out if he would be allowed into the country.
YMCA warns COVID threatening before- and after-school care
The YMCA is cautioning parents that before- and after-school programs may not be able to go on as COVID cases rise. The increasing number of cases has created staffing challenges for Indy YMCA locations that have before- and after-school programs.
In an email to parents, the YMCA said, "It is likely in the coming weeks that Before and After school programming may be cancelled due to staff not being available."
While no final decision has been made, the organization informed parents it is a possibility.