The Indiana State Department of Health reported 700 new COVID-19 cases and 10 additional deaths on Wednesday. The positive case count rose to 53,370 — exceeding the population of Elkhart, Indiana — and the death count rose to 2,592. An additional 8,343 tests were conducted bringing the total number of Indiana residents tested to 586,589.
Indiana saw an increase of 114 hospitalizations since yesterday resulting in 881 Hoosiers hospitalized with COVID-19-related illnesses. That’s the greatest number of hospitalizations since June 14. ISDH reported 285 of those patients are in intensive care.
Since hospitalizations approached 1,900 in April, but steadily dropped to about 600 in late June. The COVID-19-related hospitalizations have climbed since then and jumped by more than 43 percent from 613 on July 7 to today’s 881.
This all comes as officials fear cuts and closures coming to many rural Indiana healthcare providers.
Mayor John Hamilton said he expects Monroe County Health Department to unveil substantial orders in the coming weeks as Bloomington continues to see more cases including the fifth positive test among city employees and four IU student-athletes. Monroe County had 10 more positive tests reported, but for the 20th consecutive day reported zero deaths.
Over the next few weeks, students will begin returning school, but the Indiana State Teachers Association says the state and federal governments need to offer more guidance.
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