INDIANAPOLIS — Here are Tuesday'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.
IDOH update
The Indiana Department of Health reported 1,030 more Hoosiers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Tuesday. The total number of people vaccinated in Indiana is now at 3,679,079.
There were 1,179 booster doses administered Monday, bringing the total number to 1,705,424.
IU Health update on U.S. Navy support and COVID cases
IU Health gave an update on the U.S. Navy team’s deployment and COVID-19 cases. The U.S. Navy finished its mission supporting IU Health and left Tuesday.
IU Health said it is at about 40% of COVID-19 cases compared to the surge it had been seeing.
There are currently 63 patients in Methodist Hospital and are at near normal operating levels and 19 patients at Riley. At peak, there were more than 600 COVID patients on any day across IU Health hospitals. As of Tuesday, that number had fallen to 256.
IU Health is starting to resume surgeries and procedures that had been delayed due to the surge in cases.
Latest US, world numbers
There have been more than 78.52 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States as of 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 935,990 deaths recorded in the U.S.
Worldwide, there have been more than 426.18 million confirmed coronavirus cases with more than 5.89 million deaths and more than 10.40 billion vaccine doses administered.
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.
Carnival Cruise Lines to drop mask mandate for passengers
Carnival Cruise Lines has announced that it will no longer require passengers to wear face masks in most instances while onboard.
According to a press release, the cruise line said it is now using updated CDC guidelines for cruise ships and will now "recommend but not require" masks for passengers starting March 1, though it added that this update may not apply for certain venues and events onboard.
The updated policies also mean that Carnival will no longer require vaccine exemptions for children under 5 for its "vaccinated cruises," and there will now be more flexibility for pre-cruise testing requirements, including shortening the COVID test requirements to just three days before sailing for boosted passengers.
Other major cruise lines announced similar changes, with Royal Caribbean making masks optional onboard starting Feb. 25, and Norwegian dropping its mandate on March 1. Disney Cruises has not provided an update on its mask policy and its website indicates that passengers will still be required to wear one in most indoor settings.
IDOH changing school guidance beginning Wednesday
The Indiana Department of Health is making changes to its COVID-19 guidance for K-12 schools and child care programs.
IDOH said the changes are being made to reflect the declining cases across the state.
The following will take effect Wednesday, Feb. 23:
- Schools no longer will be required to conduct contact tracing or report positive cases to IDOH.
- Schools no longer will need to quarantine students who are exposed to a positive COVID-19 case, regardless of vaccination status or whether the school requires masks.
- Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate for five days and may return on Day 6 if they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication as long as symptoms are improving, according to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Individuals should wear a mask through Day 10 any time they are around others inside their homes or in public.
"While [the changes] do not remove the need for continued vigilance, they will ease the reporting burden on some schools and help ensure that children can stay in school," State State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG, said in a news release.
IDOH said schools should continue notifying local health departments in the event of an outbreak and are encouraged to continue to share information with families when a case is identified so parents can monitor their children for symptoms.
Following the announcement, Greenfield-Central Schools announced they would be following the new guidance and would also be dropping the district's mask mandate, effective Feb. 22, when classes resume following the Presidents Day weekend.
Muncie Schools drop face mask requirement
Muncie Community Schools has updated their face mask rules for students, staff and visitors.
Effective immediately, masks are no longer required inside MCS buildings. The change is tied to recently updated guidance from the Indiana Department of Health.
“We’ve seen COVID cases plummet from several weeks ago and after consulting with our local health officials, this seemed to be the right step to take,” said Director of Public Education and CEO Dr. Lee Ann Kwiatkowski. “We’ve always said the data would dictate our decisions on COVID policies, and it’s finally time to move past the masks.”
Despite the change, a federal mandate means masks are still required on the bus before and after school.
Noblesville, Carmel Clay schools roll back mask mandate amid declining numbers
Another central Indiana school district has elected to roll back its mask mandate due to a decrease in quarantines and positive cases across the district.
In a message to families, Noblesville Schools said it would move to mask optional at all schools starting Tuesday, Feb. 22.
The district said it will continue to follow quarantine requirements, keep an eye on the district's COVID data and make adjustments to its protocols as needed. All of this will be done in an effort to keep schools open and in-person.
This news comes on the heels of another school district deciding to remove its mask mandate, as well.
Carmel Clay Schools announced that face masks will be optional in schools starting Tuesday, Feb. 22. Carmel Clay Schools had restarted the mask policy on Aug. 16. Administrators cited a decline in positive cases and quarantines in the district as a basis for lifting the mandate.
The school district will continue to follow state requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
Both districts urged parents to continue to monitor their children for signs of illness and keep them home if they are sick.
Federal guidelines still require students and staff to wear masks while on school buses.
Howard County vaccine clinic changes
The Howard County Health Department will move its COVID-19 vaccination clinic from its current location at the Kokomo Event Center to the Howard County Health Department at the end of February. The clinic will resume at the new location on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. The Howard County Health Department is located in the Jeff Stout Government Center at 120 East Mulberry St. in Room 206.
Anyone with an existing appointment at the Kokomo Event Center location in March will be notified of the change in location to Government Center.
The clinic will administer COVID-19 vaccines every Wednesday between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET. It will be closed between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome, or you can schedule an appointment at OurShot.IN.gov or Call 211 to schedule
Patients should bring a photo ID and insurance card to the clinic.
Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccines will all be available.
If you have questions about booster doses, vaccines for immunocompromised individuals, pediatric vaccines, or any other COVID-19 vaccine-related questions, call the Howard County Health Department at 765-456-2437 choose Option #1 to speak with a nurse.
IMS vaccine clinic ending Feb. 26
The Indiana Department of Health will start reducing its COVID-19 response operations.
The department said the changes are being made due to less demand for testing and plenty of availability of COVID-19 vaccines and treatment at health provider locations.
The IDOH testing and vaccination clinic across from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will end operations on Saturday, Feb. 26.
IDOH will also stop its testing and vaccination strike teams that had been deployed across the state. However, IDOH will continue to make mobile vaccination and testing units available upon request.
IDOH also said Indiana National Guard support for long-term care facilities and hospitals will end on March 14. No new requests will be accepted after Feb. 26.