INDIANAPOLIS — Tuesday's latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic.
Chief Justice Loretta Rush recovering
Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush is back working after battling COVID-19.
"COVID-19 can present many challenging conditions. Some of which I've been working through the last two weeks. I can tell you I am very pleased to be here today," Rush said at the start of a hearing on Sept. 24.
She is still under the care of a doctor and on the path to recovery.
Rush was appointed to the court in Nov. 2012 by Governor Mitch Daniels. The Judicial Nominating Commission named her Chief Justice in Aug. 2014, and she was reappointed as Chief Justice in 2019.
Rush is a former Tippecanoe County judge and was the first woman to serve on the state Supreme Court since Myra Selby stepped down in 1999 after five years on the bench.
ISDH daily update
The Indiana State Department of Health announces 990 more positive cases of COVID-19 and 30 more deaths today. That brings totals to 126,946 cases and 3,484 deaths.
The newly reported cases were from Oct. 4 and Oct. 5, while the deaths date back to Sept. 25.
More than 1.4 million Hoosiers have been tested for the virus.
Noblesville announces trick-or-treat guidelines
The City of Noblesville has released recommendations to safely celebrate Halloween during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trick-or-treat hours will be from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Here are some tips the city recommended:
- Wear a mask when approaching homes or opening doors to trick-or-treaters
- Stay at least 6 feet away from people not in your trick-or-treating group
- If handing out candy, wash hands before doing so and only give out pre-packaged treats
- Turn off porch lights if you don't want trick-or-treaters to come to your door
Indy Jazz Fest goes virtual
The annual Indy Jazz Fest is going virtual this year.
“The year 2020 has produced a multitude of emotions,” said David Allee, Indy Jazz Fest director and owner of The Jazz Kitchen. “Ultimately, we view these concerts and commissions as the perfect way to continue the crucial support of our artists right here in Indianapolis as we continue to navigate through the challenges brought forth by the pandemic, racial tensions, and a year of introspection.”
These online concerts will be released for free, and viewers will be asked to donate to help reach the overall fundraising goal of $25,000.
The all-virtual four-part concert series begins Friday, Nov. 13.
The lineup includes:
- Friday, November 13 – 8 p.m.
“Celebrate Naptown All-Star Show” - Saturday, November 14 – 8 p.m.
Native Sun - “Legalize Being Black” - Friday, November 20 – 8 p.m.
Charlie Ballantine - “Vonnegut” - Saturday, November 21 – 8 p.m.
Jared Thompson & Premium Blend - “38th and Post Modernism”
The online concerts will be available for viewing online at Indy Jazz Fest's website and via the organizations’ Facebook Live and YouTube platforms.
Latest US, world numbers
There have been more than 7.45 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. as of 3:30 a.m. ET Tuesday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 210,000 deaths and 2.93 million people recovered.
Worldwide, there have been 35.48 million confirmed cases with more than 1.04 million deaths and 24.75 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.
IPS hosting virtual session on transportation changes
Indianapolis Public Schools is hosting a virtual session to provide more information on the transportation changes for in-person learning students.
The Zoom event begins Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m., and the information will be provided in English and Spanish.
Click here to register.
IPS began a phased reopening plan Monday, Oct. 5 for with students in Pre-K through third grade returning to in-person learning.
IRS grants 5-week extension to register for first stimulus payment
The IRS is giving some people who did not get their coronavirus stimulus payment another five weeks to file for it.
The deadline to register for the Economic Impact Payment has been moved from Oct. 15 to Nov. 21, but only for people who have not received their payment and do not typically file an income tax return. Those people can register using the Non-Filers tool at IRS.gov.
In March, Congress passed the CARES Act, giving individuals who made $75,000 or less, or couples who made $150,000 or less, a one-time direct payment of $1,200. Those with dependent children under the age of 17 received an additional $500 per child.
This payment could be a massive boost to these non-filers who are being granted the extension. The Non-Filers tool is designed for people with incomes typically below $24,400 for married couples, and $12,200 for singles who could not be claimed as a dependent by someone else, the IRS said. These may include people who are homeless.
CDC officially acknowledges COVID-19 can spread by airborne transmission
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevent has officially updated its guidance to acknowledge that airborne spread of the coronavirus is possible and should be taken seriously.
The agency had previously taken down similar guidance last month, saying at the time that it was posted in error.
The CDC sent out a press release on Monday to highlight the updated guidance on its "How COVID is Spread" website.
In a statement, the agency wrote, "CDC continues to believe, based on current science, that people are more likely to become infected the longer and closer they are to a person with COVID-19. Today’s update acknowledges the existence of some published reports showing limited, uncommon circumstances where people with COVID-19 infected others who were more than 6 feet away or shortly after the COVID-19-positive person left an area."
The CDC said warns that virus transmission can occur in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces and where people are involved in activities causing heavy breathing. Singing and exercising were the two activities the CDC highlighted in the release. Actions like these add to the accumulation or "buildup" of virus-carrying particles in the air, the CDC said.
The agency said its recommendations for stopping the spread of coronavirus remains the same: wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth, stay at least 6 feet away from others, wash hash frequently and stay home if you're sick.