INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR/TEGNA/AP) — Tuesday's latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic.
WHO backtracks comments on asymptomatic spread of coronavirus
Numerous experts worldwide and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have warned that people without coronavirus symptoms could still transmit the virus, which explains why the pandemic has been so hard to contain.
So, it was a surprise when Maria Van Kerkhove, the World Health Organization’s technical lead on COVID-19, seemed to suggest at a press briefing on Monday that the likelihood of contracting the coronavirus from asymptomatic individuals, or those with no clinical symptoms, appeared to be "very rare."
Van Kerkhove clarified on Tuesday during a WHO live stream that there is still a lot they don't know about the virus, saying her original comments tried to "articulate what we know."
She added that it was a "misunderstanding" to state that asymptomatic transmission is "rare."
"What I was referring to yesterday in the press conference was a subset of substudies. I also referred to some data that isn't published," she said. "These are estimates, and there’s a big range from the different models. Some estimates of around 40 percent of transmission may be due to asymptomatic, but those are from models and so I didn't include that in my answer yesterday."
She also stressed that there's a big difference with asymptomatic spread, where a person never shows symptoms, and a person being "presymptomatic," where they transmit the virus before developing mild symptoms.
She added that it still remains a "big open question" as to what percentage of people who are truly asymptomatic transmit the disease to others.
Van Kerkhove said that based on data, when people without symptoms of COVID-19 are tracked over a period of time, there are very few cases of spread.
COVID-19 case update in the state
Indiana State Department of Health says that there are 430 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in Indiana. That brings the state's total to more than 38,000. An additional 23 Hoosiers have died from the virus. Those deaths were reported between May 31 and June 8. In total, 2,158 have died from the virus.
Ivy Tech offering free classes, training to 10,000 people
In an effort to help Hoosiers hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, Ivy Tech Community College is offering 10,000 free classes and trainings for 10,000 participants.
The classes are targeted to Indiana residents who have experienced unemployment or reduced employment due to the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
Classes and trainings cover a variety of topics advanced manufacturing, IT and business. Most courses are set up in a way that they can be completed on the student's own timeline, without deadlines or set meeting times for classwork.
Go to ivytech.edu/10kclasses for more details on the offerings and to register.
US-Canada border opens with strict limitations
The Canada-United States border is reopening Tuesday, but the new policy is limited.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today that some close family members can reunite north of the border as long as they plan to stay for at least two weeks.
Immediate family is defined as as spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, parents or step-parents, and guardians.
The U.S. Canadian border has been closed to nonessential travel since March 20 to try and slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Right now the policy to close the border to nonessential travel is set to expire on June 22. However, the date has been extended twice.
Freedom Springs in Greenwood to open June 15
Freedom Springs, Greenwood's aquatic center, will open June 15 with new health and safety guidelines.
Upon entering the facility, guests must adhere to the following protocols:
- Max patron capacity of 700
- Facility will only be open to season passholders through July 4; day passes will be accepted following the holiday
- All persons entering the facility must be screened, including employees
- Six feet social distancing will be enforced with floor markings in place for guidance
- Concession area seating is moved to shelters one and two
- Family restrooms are strictly for families and ADA use only
- Sunscreen stations have been converted to sanitizing stations
- Lounge chairs have been placed to meet the six feet distance requirement
- Tube capacity has been reduced
- Lockers will remain closed until July 4
- No shelter/party rentals until further notice
- Cabanas are closed until further notice
- North service gate is reserved as an exit only
Season passes are currently being sold at the Greenwood Community Center and are available for purchase at Freedom Springs starting Wednesday.
Current scheduled events include:
- Family Fun Night – July 9
- Adult nights (21 and older):
- DJ Lamar and Karaoke – July 24
- Blue River Band – Aug. 14
- Puppy POOLooza – Sept. 12
The 2020 season is scheduled to run from Monday, June 15 until Monday, Sept. 7.
Kings Island, Cedar Point announce July openings with new safety measures
Kings Island and Cedar Point will both open in July with new safety measures in place amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Kings Island will open to season passholders from July 2-11 and then will open to season passholders and daily ticketholders beginning July 12.
Click here to read the new health and safety protocols put in place at Kings Island.
Cedar Point will be open to 2020 Cedar Point Season, Gold and Platinum Passholders only on July 9 and 10. Beginning July 11, the theme park will open to Cedar Point Resorts guests and 2020 Cedar Point Season, Gold and Platinum Passholders.
Click here to read the new health and safety protocols put in place at Cedar Point.
Latest US, world numbers
There have been 1.96 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 111,000 deaths and 518,000 people recovered.
Worldwide, there have been 7.12 million confirmed cases with more than 406,000 deaths and 3.29 million recovered.
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.
Most of Indiana’s casinos can reopen their doors as soon as next week under coronavirus safety plans they have submitted to state officials.
The 13 state-regulated casinos have been closed since mid-March, when widespread shutdowns started to slow the coronavirus spread.
The Michigan-based Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians announced Monday that it also plans to reopen its South Bend, Indiana, casino and three in southwestern Michigan on June 15.
Several tribal casinos in Michigan have welcomed back gamblers, but reopening dates haven’t been set yet for the three Detroit casinos overseen by state officials.