INDIANAPOLIS — Saturday's latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic.
Avon H.S. confirms 2nd student tests positive for COVID-19
Avon High School says they learned Saturday that a second student has tested positive for COVID-19.
Avon first learned of a student testing positive Thursday, Aug. 6.
The school corporation says it is following guidance from the Hendricks County Health Department and any close contacts are being notified.
The student who tested positive may return to school upon the direction of county health officials, the school corporation said in a message to families.
"While we continue to be attentive to the Health Department’s guidelines, please remind your children to continue to wear masks, wash hands, and social distance. Remember, if your child is displaying any symptoms, they need to stay home," Avon High School said the message.
Avon Schools also announced two staff members tested positive for COVID-19 earlier. One of those staff members had not been in the school, nor had they been in close contact with any other staff or students, according to the school corporation.
Indiana latest numbers: 1,036 new cases, 13 additional deaths
After Friday's record day of 1,253 new cases, the Indiana State Department of Health reported 1,036 new positive cases of COVID-19 among Hoosiers on Saturday - making it the second-highest day of the pandemic. Indiana's daily total also topped the thousand mark for the third consecutive day.
Saturday's updated number brings to 73,287 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total.
The 13 additional deaths brings the state's total to 2,834 fatal cases of the virus. Another 202 probable deaths have been reported based on patients for whom no positive test was recorded before they died, but who exhibited symptoms of the virus.
Nearly 830-thousand people have been been tested in the state during the pandemic, with 8.8 percent of those individuals coming back positive. More than a million tests have been administered overall representing multiple tests given to the same person.
Hospital capacity remains stable with 34 percent of ICU beds and nearly 81 percent of ventilators available across the state.
Ball State statements on MAC postponement of fall sports
Ball State officials issued statements after the Mid-American Conference presidents voted Saturday to postpone all scheduled fall contests, as well as MAC championships, due to continuing concerns related to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
“Our Cardinals have continued to show great resilience and determination through the challenges the COVID-19 crisis has created,” said Geoffrey S. Mearns, Ball State University President. “Although our teams will not have the opportunity to compete this fall, I believe it is important to prioritize the health and safety of our student-athletes. At Ball State, that same priority of wellness exists for all of our students, faculty and staff. Unlike campus residential and academic settings, the field of competition can limit proper physical distancing and creates conflicts with the use of masks or face coverings. I respect the advice from our medical experts who have advised that this postponement is currently the safest path forward.”
“These extraordinary times continue to impact the college athletics landscape and that impact is felt greater today for our student-athletes, coaches, staff, and fans,” said Beth Goetz, Ball State University Director of Athletics. “As former student-athletes, the president and I empathize with our student-athletes. We will continue to explore the best opportunities to train while our primary focus remains on the safety and well-being of our Ball State students as they prepare for the start of the academic year.”
The MAC lost a significant amount of potential revenue when the Big 10 went to a conference-only football schedule, cutting games with MAC schools from their schedules.
Western Michigan was scheduled to be Notre Dame's non-ACC opponent Sept. 19, but that game is now off the Irish schedule. It is unclear if Notre Dame will look to replace WMU with another non-ACC opponent.
New Palestine H.S. confirms second positive case in student
Southern Hancock administrators were notified of a positive COVID-19 test result among the New Palestine High School student body late Friday night.
The student who tested positive was last at school on Monday, Aug. 3, according to a statement from the administration that was shared with the media.
Families of all students who were in close contact with the positive student were notified.
The district will conduct a full sanitization and disinfection of NPHS this weekend and next week's classes at the high school will be held as scheduled.
Contact tracing by the district officials and nurses determined Friday’s case is not connected to the previous NPHS student who tested positive on Monday, Aug. 3.
Germany, France challenge US role in WHO reforms
Germany and France have challenged Washington’s role in leading talks over reforming the World Health Organization, citing the U.S. decision to quit the global body.
Germany’s Health Ministry said the issue was discussed during a call of health ministers from the Group of Seven leading economies Thursday.
In a statement Saturday, the ministry said that in view of the United States’ withdrawal from WHO, “Germany and France currently see no mandate for the U.S. to lead the WHO reform process for the G-7.”
“How can you be leading while you are leaving?” the ministry added.
The Trump administration, which holds the rotating presidency of the G-7 this year, has accused WHO of bowing to pressure from China in its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Latest US, world numbers
There have been 4.92 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. as of 6 a.m. ET Saturday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 161,300 deaths and 1.62 million people recovered.
Worldwide, there have been 19.38 million confirmed cases with more than 721,000 deaths and 11.75 million recoveries.
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, including pneumonia and death.
Britain to require masks at most indoor places
People in Britain must wear masks in most indoor settings starting Saturday as the country tries to squash a rise in coronavirus infections that has followed the easing of lockdown measures.
England and Scotland now require face-coverings in most indoor spaces, including places of worship, museums, cinemas, banks and libraries. They were already mandatory in shops and on public transit.
A swath of northern England has been put under tougher restrictions that bar households from mixing, after a surge in infections that authorities blame partly on people meeting up in homes and pubs.
Britain’s official coronavirus death toll stands at more than 46,500, the highest in Europe.
The Office for National Statistics says the number of people testing positive for the virus has risen since the end of June — just after the country began to ease its lockdown — but may have leveled off. It estimated there were 3,700 new infections a day in the community in England in the week to Aug. 2, down from 4,200 a day the week before.