INDIANAPOLIS — Here are Saturday'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.
First post-pandemic cruise ship gets ready to sail
The first cruise ship to leave a U.S. port since the coronavirus pandemic brought the industry to a 15-month standstill is preparing to set sail with nearly all vaccinated passengers on board.
Celebrity Edge will depart Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at 6 p.m. Saturday with the number of passengers limited to about 40% capacity, and with virtually all passengers vaccinated against COVID-19. Celebrity Cruises, one of Royal Caribbean Cruise's brands, says 99% of the passengers are vaccinated, well over the 95% requirement imposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
To comply with both the CDC's requirement and a new Florida law banning businesses from requiring customers to show proof of vaccination, Celebrity Cruises is asking guests if they would like to share their vaccination status. Those who do not show or say they are vaccinated face additional restrictions.
Saturday's sailing kicks off the cruise lines' return to business with Carnival vessels already scheduled to depart from other ports next month.
States across US push back against digital COVID vaccine verification
Across the U.S., many hard-hit businesses eager to return to normal have been reluctant to demand proof of vaccination from customers. And the public and the politicians in many places have made it clear they don't care for the idea.
In fact, far more states have banned proof-of-vaccination policies than have created smartphone-based programs for people to digitally display their vaccination status.
Hawaii is the only state enforcing some version of a vaccine passport. Earlier this month, California became just the third state — behind New York and Louisiana — to offer residents a way to voluntarily display digital proof of their COVID-19 shots. None of those states requires the use of their digital verification systems to access either public or private-sector places.
By contrast, at least 18 states led by Republican governors or legislatures prohibit the creation of so-called vaccine passports or ban public entities from requiring proof of vaccination. Several of those — including Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Montana, North Dakota and Texas — also bar most businesses from denying service to those who aren't vaccinated.
Pop-up vaccine clinics set for Monday in Marion Co.
The Marion County Public Health Department just announced three pop-up vaccination clinics for Monday, June 28. Vaccinations are free and no appointment is needed.
“We continue to make great strides in reducing the impact of COVID-19, but the pandemic is not yet over,” said Virginia A. Caine, M.D., director and chief medical officer of the Marion County Public Health Department. “We appreciate community partners stepping up to host COVID-19 clinics such as these as we work to reach even more people with the life-saving benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine.”
June 28 vaccination locations:
Harry & Izzy’s
153 S. Illinois Street
Indianapolis/Downtown
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines offered; Ages 18+ eligible
Hourly drawing for a Harry & Izzy’s gift card, in partnership with the Minority Health Coalition of Marion County
Harry & Izzy’s
4050 E. 82nd Street
Indianapolis/North
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines offered; Ages 18+ eligible
Hourly drawing for a Harry & Izzy’s gift card, in partnership with the Minority Health Coalition of Marion County
Castleton United Methodist Church
7101 N. Shadeland Ave.
Indianapolis
2 p.m.-6 p.m.
Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines offered; Ages 12+ eligible
Families are encouraged to visit the Castleton United Methodist Church pop-up location, where Pfizer vaccines will be available. The Pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine currently approved for children ages 12-17. All vaccines offered are approved for adults 18 and older.
Marion Co. vaccination incentives continue through July 2
Any Marion County resident who gets vaccinated at one of the health department’s COVID-19 vaccine clinics or pop-up locations through July 2 will be entered to win a selection of prizes donated by generous community partners. Daily drawings will be held for smaller items, with the winners of the larger items to be randomly selected following July 2.
Prizes include:
- A package of two Indianapolis Colts season tickets with a signed Peyton Manning rookie jersey
- Two Half-Season Indiana Pacers ticket packages, each also including a signed Domantas Sabonis 2020 All-Star jersey
- Indianapolis Indians clubhouse tickets and a jersey
- Tickets to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
- A gift basket from the Indianapolis Zoo that includes a free membership
- Fun cards for pool admission at Indy Parks
More information is posted at marionhealth.org/vaccinateindy.
Those with unanswered questions or concerns about the vaccine can call the health department vaccine hotline at 317-221-2100 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. or visit cdc.gov/coronavirus or ourshot.in.gov.
Outbreak ends CWS run for NC State
North Carolina State's baseball team was forced to opt out of the College World Series this weekend due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the team.
In the hours before the Wolfpack were to take the field against Vanderbilt at the College World Series, at least one player from North Carolina State University tested positive for COVID-19, sources told WRAL.
Players on all teams participating in the College World Series are tested every other day while in Omaha.
NC State was to meet Vanderbilt Friday in the second game of a best-of-three series. Now, Vanderbilt moves on in the tourney.
In a statement regarding the end of NC State's season, ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips said:
“We are truly heartbroken for NC State’s student-athletes, coaches, support staff, administration, alumni, and fans. To have the season abruptly end this way is devastating. Watching this team, especially in the postseason, has been nothing short of inspiring and we applaud the entire program for the resiliency it has shown this season.”
Uganda hospitals accused of profiteering
Virus cases are surging in Uganda, making scarce hospital beds even more expensive. And concern is growing over the alleged exploitation of patients by private hospitals accused of demanding payment upfront and hiking fees.
Uganda is among African countries seeing a dramatic rise in the number of infections amid a severe vaccine shortage. The country has vaccinated under 1% of its 44 million people.
One observer says that without a national health insurance scheme, COVID-19 has highlighted that health care in Uganda is “commoditized, available to the highest bidder."
Latest US, world numbers
There have been more than 33.6 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States as of 6 a.m. ET Saturday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 603,500 deaths in the U.S.
Worldwide, there have been more than 180.4 million confirmed coronavirus cases with more than 3.91 million deaths. More than 2.8 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.
Upcoming central Indiana vaccine clinics
Mobile vaccination clinics planned today:
June 26 (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.):
Spencer County:
Spencer County Fair
1101 E. CR 800 N., Chrisney, IN 47611
Patients with an appointment at a state-hosted public vaccination site can get a free Uber or Lyft ride. Call 2-1-1 or (866) 211-9966 to receive a voucher to cover the cost of an Uber ride to and from your vaccination appointments. IU Health offers free Lyft rides to any vaccine site in the state. Call 1.888.IUHEALTH (888-484-3258) and choose option 9 if you need transportation to your vaccine appointment.
Johnson County library to host COVID-19 vaccine clinics
The Johnson County Public Library is hoping a series of clinics will help as the number of people getting vaccinated against COVID-19 begins to plateau.
The clinics will be held at the following locations, days and times:
Trafalgar Library Branch
- July 14, 2021: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Aug. 6, 2021: 3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
White River Library Branch
- July 13, 2021: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Aug. 3, 2021: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Franklin Library Branch
- July 1, 2021: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- July 22, 2021: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
The Pfizer vaccine will be given at all of the clinics, and Spanish translators will be available.
If a person does not have transportation, Access Johnson County’s Demand Response service offers curb-to-curb service between their home and the clinic and back. The cost is as little as $4 each way. If a person can’t afford the fare, Access will waive the fare. To schedule a ride, call 317-738-5523.