INDIANAPOLIS — Here are Wednesday'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.
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.
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.
IDOH update
The Indiana Department of Health reports 3,908 more Hoosiers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Wednesday. The total number of people vaccinated in Indiana is now at 3,568,721.
There were 14,778 booster doses administered Tuesday, bringing the total number to 1,425,417.
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.
State health commissioner tests positive for COVID-19
State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Indiana Department of Health.
IDH said Box tested positive through a rapid test Tuesday morning after becoming symptomatic Monday night. Her symptoms included muscle aches, chills, coughing and a sore throat.
Box is isolating at home and will follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which calls for her to isolate for five full days and allow her to return to work fully masked on the sixth day if her symptoms are improving.
Box also took a PCR test, which is being sent to a lab to determine if she has been infected with the omicron variant.
According to IDH, Box is fully vaccinated and got her booster dose in November. IDH reports there have been an estimated 113,000 Hoosiers to have a breakthrough case since Jan. 18, 2021.
Box previously tested positive for COVID-19 in October 2020. IDH said an estimated 15,000 Hoosiers have been re-infected with COVID-19.
IPS hosts vaccine clinic at Arsenal Tech on Wednesday
Indianapolis Public Schools is partnering with the Indiana Department of Health to host a COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Wednesday.
The clinic will begin at noon on Wednesday, Jan. 5, at Arsenal Tech High School, 1500 E. Michigan St. First, second and booster doses of the vaccine will be offered in addition to recommended and required school immunizations. The clinic will be limited to students from noon to 2 p.m. Other families, students, and staff may attend from 2:45 to 7 p.m.
Pre-registration is required for all in-school student immunizations and is also recommended for all families attending the after-school clinics. However, on-site registration/authorization will be permitted.
The district will also offer a clinic Thursday at Shortridge High School, 3401 N. Meridian St.
Latest US, world numbers
There have been more than 57.04 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States as of 3:00 a.m. Wednesday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 830,071 deaths recorded in the U.S.
Worldwide, there have been more than 295.235 million confirmed coronavirus cases with more than 5.45 million deaths and more than 9.25 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.
Indianapolis prepares for College Football National Championship amid COVID concerns
COVID-19 is still with us in 2022. But it's not stopping fans from coming to Indy for the college football playoff national championship.
A healthy $150 million economic impact is estimated from the wallets of 100,000 visitors to Indianapolis. But what about the health of all those people mixing with the locals? We will be spreading more than Hoosier hospitality?
"If you are sick, if you have a cough, if you have a runny nose, if you have a fever - please do not attend an event,” said Dr. Michele Saysana with IU Health. “Don't attend an event with your family, and don't attend the college football championship.”
Lucas Oil Stadium will be at full capacity with masks strongly encouraged, but not required.
“People know what it takes in order to be safe,” said Dr. Virginia Caine, director of the Marion County Public Health Department. “Wear that mask while indoors. Get vaccinated with the boosters. Get themselves tested before the game."
But neither proof of vaccination nor COVID testing is required for fans going to the game.
State making changes to COVID-19 testing due to rapid test kit shortage
The Indiana State Department of Health is making changes to its testing operations as cases surge and people face a national shortage of the rapid test kits.
Health leaders are extending the hours of the testing and vaccination clinic outside of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The hours will now be noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. The extended hours will be in place through Jan. 22.
Appointments for rapid tests previously scheduled for Jan. 4 will be honored while testing supplies last. Rapid tests kits at state and local test sites will only be available for the following individuals going forward: individuals aged 18 and younger and symptomatic individuals aged 50 and older. The reason for that is to help keep children in school and to fit the prescribed window for Hoosiers needing a monoclonal antibody treatment.
The two-dose Pfizer pediatric and adult vaccines, as well as the two-dose Moderna vaccine, are also available at the clinic.
People can click on the testing map at www.coronavirus.in.gov to find a testing location. They can also visit ourshot.in.gov to find a vaccination site.
Notre Dame reinstates mask mandate amid COVID-19 surge
The University of Notre Dame has reinstated a mask requirement for all students, staff and campus visitors as the omicron variant fuels a surge in COVID-19 cases across the country.
As of Jan. 1, masks were required indoors for all students, staff and visitors to the South Bend campus. School officials say that mandate will continue until 90% of the campus community has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and also received a booster shot.
The South Bend Tribune reports the university is also requiring its students and employees to receive and verify the status of a booster vaccination by Jan. 21.
Notre Dame's spring semester classes begin Jan. 10.
CDC signs off on Pfizer booster shots at 5 months, instead of 6
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has signed off on two measures to increase access to additional doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine.
The CDC on Tuesday recommended shortening the recommended interval of time between when people who had an initial series of Pfizer vaccinations and when they receive a Pfizer booster shot, from six months to five months.
The agency has not changed the recommended booster interval for people who got other vaccines. The Johnson & Johnson booster interval is two months and the Moderna vaccine can be given six months after initial doses.
The CDC also recommended that kids ages 5 to 11 with moderately or severely weakened immune systems receive an additional dose 28 days after their second Pfizer shot. Currently, only the Pfizer vaccine is recommended for that age group.