INDIANAPOLIS — Monday's latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic.
Pre-registration required for MCPHD’s COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites
As the demand for COVID-19 testing increases, the Marion County Public Health Department says that starting today, anyone seeking a test at one of its three drive-thru testing locations needs to be pre-registered in order to receive a test.
To register for free COVID-19 testing through the Marion County Public Health Department, please visit MarionHealth.org/indycovid. Residents who do not have Internet access, or need help completing the online application, should call 317-221-5515.
COVID-19 testing sites offered by the Marion County Public Health Department:
MCPHD Main Building
3838 N. Rural Street
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesdays: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
MCPHD South District Health Office
7551 S. Shelby Street
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
3685 Commercial Drive
Mondays and Wednesdays: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Ball State to require COVID test before students return for Spring semester
Ball State University announced that it will require all students to be tested for COVID-19 before returning to campus in January.
"I recognize this year has been challenging for all of us—especially our students—and we will do our best to simplify the process and assist our students," Vice President Ro-Anne Royer Engle said in a statement. "With support from their families and our faculty and staff, I trust our students will approach the Spring Semester testing requirements with the same dedication and adherence to safety protocols that I have seen at Ball State over the past few months."
Vincennes cancels in-person classes through end of semester
Vincennes University has canceled in-person classes for the rest of the semester due to increasing COVID-19 cases. The last day for in-person instruction will be Nov. 20. This applies to both the Vincennes and Jasper campuses.
The university will make some exceptions for courses where meeting in person is imperative to complete the material, like clinicals, labs, and internships.
Residence halls will remain open, but students are encouraged to move back home if possible.
Indy in talks to host March Madness
The NCAA announced Monday it would relocate the 13 sites for the preliminary rounds of the 2021 Men's Basketball National Championship. The organization is in talks with the State of Indiana and the City of Indianapolis about hosting the entire tournament in a single geographic area.
The announcement came after discussions made it apparent that hosting preliminary rounds in more than a dozen sites across the nation was not the best decision, given the current pandemic.
Indianapolis was already slated to host the Final Four April 3-5 next year. The change would mean additional games for the 68-team tournament during March and April.
The Division I Men's Basketball Committee looked to select a location that required limited travel and access to athletic facilities, medical resources and lodging for teams in a close proximity.
State adds another 5,218 positive cases and 26 deaths
The Indiana State Department of Health has added another 5,218 positive COVID-19 cases and 26 additional deaths.
That brings to 256,744 the number of Indiana residents now known to have had the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s dashboard.
A total of 4,686 Hoosiers are confirmed to have died from COVID-19, an increase of 26 from the previous day. Another 250 probable deaths have been reported based on clinical diagnoses in patients for whom no positive test is on record.
The state has recorded 1,952,202 tests for unique individuals in Indiana, up from 1,938,289 on Sunday. A total of 3,569,955 tests, including repeat tests for unique individuals, have been reported to the state Department of Health since Feb. 26.
TSA encourages PreCheck for holiday travelers
The Transportation Security Administration launched a new “Travel With Ease” campaign to encourage air travelers to enroll in the TSA PreCheck program if they plan to travel over the upcoming holidays.
The campaign points out why TSA PreCheck benefits may be more helpful than ever as travelers experience convenience and less physical contact.
“TSA has made considerable changes to its checkpoint processes to make commercial air travel more safe and secure for everyone during the pandemic,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske in a media release aboout the new campaign. “Obtaining TSA PreCheck is something that each traveler can do to make the checkpoint experience even more efficient, eliminating several contact points, which in most cases, includes the need for a bin.”
TSA PreCheck allows an approved passenger to pass through checkpoints wearing shoes, belts and jackets. Electronics and small-bottle liquids stay in bags. TSA says passengers usually wait less then five minutes at checkpoints.
A TSA PreCheck application can be started online and at home. Passengers can apply online and schedule an appointment at any of the more than 400 enrollment centers. The the applicant must attend an in-person appointment that includes fingerprinting for a background check and pay $85 for the 5-year membership.
Tightened restrictions in Marion County begin Monday
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett spoke last week and said the positivity rate in Marion County is above the 10 percent threshold and now requires additional mitigation.
The following changes go into effect Monday, Nov. 16:
- Indoor capacity will be reduced to 25 percent for bars and entertainment venues, although outdoor capacity will continue to be allowed up to 100 percent.
- Restaurant capacity will remain at 50 percent indoors with outdoor capacity at 100 percent.
- Self-service buffets and salad bars are banned.
- Karaoke is banned.
- Maximum party size at tables, restaurants and bars is reduced to six people.
- The midnight closure requirement that previously applied to bars, restaurants and clubs will now be extended to all non-essential hospitality and entertainment businesses, including live entertainment venues.
- Special or seasonal events, such as concerts, movie screenings, fairs, festivals, conventions, weddings, wedding receptions or sporting events, are now limited to 50 people. They may include more than 50 people only if the event has an approved safety plan from the Marion County Public Health Department. This is a reduction from the current 250-person limit. All other social gatherings of more than 25 people are not allowed.
- Religious centers are limited to 75 percent capacity.
- Cultural venues, music venues, museums, tourism sites and other non-essential tourism venues are reduced to 25 percent capacity.
- Gyms and fitness centers, as well as private clubs and fraternal organizations, are reduced to 25 percent indoor capacity.
- Marion County will now require a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours for a visit to any long-term care facility.
2nd coronavirus vaccine shows early success in U.S. tests
There's more promising news on the COVID-19 vaccine front as Moderna says its shot provides strong protection against the coronavirus. Monday's announcement comes a week after a competitor, Pfizer, revealed its own vaccine to be similarly effective.
The announcements come as the virus surges in the U.S. and around the world. Moderna said of 95 infections so far in its 30,000-person study, all but five were in people who got dummy shots.
Both Moderna and Pfizer are on track to seek permission for emergency use in the U.S. within weeks. Still, initial supplies will be limited and rationed.
Wayne Township schools move to virtual learning Monday
All K-12 students in Wayne Township schools will go back to virtual learning beginning Monday, Nov. 16.
This comes after Mayor Joe Hogsett announced all Marion County schools must return to e-learning by Nov. 30.
Hamilton Southeastern schools begin new schedule Monday
Hamilton Southeastern schools are implementing a new schedule Monday, Nov. 16:
- Grades pre-K-4 will remain 100 percent in-person.
- Grades 5-6 will remain hybrid (50/50).
- Grades 7-12 will move to 100 percent virtual.
The new schedule will remain in place through Dec. 18.
The timeline for the adjustments is subject to change, the district said in a message to families.
Connersville High School begins hybrid schedule Monday
Beginning Monday, Nov. 16, Connersville High School students will work on a hybrid schedule until Thanksgiving Break.
Elementary and middle schools will continue to operate on a regular basis. The Whitewater Career Center will also remain open.
High school students moved to e-learning last Tuesday after positive cases or exposure to COVID-19 in the school continued to rise.
Scott Collins, superintendent of the Fayette County School Corporation, said the number of absent students due to quarantines or illnesses is beyond the threshold recommended by the state.
Latest US, world numbers
There have been more than 11.03 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. as of 1 a.m. ET Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 246,000 deaths and 4.17 million people recovered.
Worldwide, there have been more than 54.37 million confirmed cases with more than 1.31 million deaths and 34.95 million recoveries.
The real number of people infected by the virus around the world is believed to be much higher — perhaps 10 times higher in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — given testing limitations and the many mild cases that have gone unreported or unrecognized.
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.
Costco's new mask mandate begins Monday
Starting Monday, Nov. 16, Costco will require all members, guests and employees to wear a face mask or face shield at all locations.
Only children under 2 years old are exempt from the policy change. Costco originally said those with a medical condition were exempt as well, but that is no longer the case.
In a statement made by president and CEO Craig Jelinek on the Costco Wholesale website, he says if someone has a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask, they must wear a face shield to enter the store.
Entry to Costco will only be granted to those wearing a face mask or shield.
"The updated policy may seem inconvenient to some, however we believe the added safety is worth any inconvenience," Jelinek said in the statement. "Our goal is to continue to provide a safe shopping environment for our members and guests, and to provide a safe work environment for our employees. Thank you for your cooperation and support."
The Costco website says for members who are unable to wear a mask or face covering, delivery options are available online.
Chicago's new stay-at-home advisory begins Monday
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot's 10-person limit on social gatherings in the nation's third-largest city begins Monday, Nov. 16 — fresh restrictions aimed at fighting a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Lightfoot implored Chicagoans to "cancel the normal Thanksgiving plans," saying the skyrocketing cases show no signs of slowing and urgent steps are needed immediately.
The limitations on gatherings are part of a stay-at-home advisory urging city residents to venture out only for essentials, including work and groceries. Chicago is already under an order barring indoor restaurant dining.