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Indiana Reaches 350 Deaths From Coronavirus Outbreak

COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to increase with 1,138 Hoosiers hospitalized due to the virus.
COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to increase with 1,138 Hoosiers hospitalized due to the virus.

Indiana’s death toll from the coronavirus has reached 350 people as state health officials on Monday reported seven additional deaths.

The latest deaths added to the state’s tally occurred between Friday and Sunday but represent a slowdown in fatalities since Indiana recorded at least 17 daily deaths for 10 straight days through Thursday.

Indiana’s first reported COVID-19 death occurred on March 16 and have mounted since then. Dr. Kristina Box, the state health commissioner, has said  Indiana’s illness peak could continue into mid-May. Indiana’s coronavirus death total in less than a month is already more than the some  150 average flu deaths over a seven-month period.

Monroe County saw its first COVID-19 death on Saturday, amid a positive case count that is approaching 90. 

The state health department also reported Monday that an additional 331 people had confirmed cases of COVID-19, increasing Indiana’s total cases to more than 8,200 in all 92 counties.

And the Terre Haute Fire Department said one of its firefighters died Sunday from COVID-19 complications.

John Schoffstall, 41, was an 11-year veteran of the department. Several fire engines escorted a hearse carrying his body from a Terre Haute hospital to a funeral home on Sunday.

For the latest news and resources about COVID-19, bookmark our Coronavirus In Indiana page  here. 

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Emma Atkinson is a reporter for WTIU and WFIU News and the anchor of regional newscasts for All Things Considered. She's originally from Champaign, Ill. and graduated from IU with a Bachelor's degree in journalism in 2019. Emma has previously worked as a reporter in Kampala, Uganda and Ketchikan, Alaska.