The Indiana State Department of Health reported on Monday 850 new positive cases of COVID-19 all confirmed on Aug. 17. It also reported 28 new deaths, which occurred between July 31 and Aug. 17. This is the largest number of COVID-19 deaths reported in a single daily report since the state reported 32 deaths on June 6. Today’s numbers increased the state totals to 81,847 positive cases and 2,954 deaths.
The state also reported 12,106 more individuals tested bringing the state total to 928,614 Hoosiers tested with a seven-day positivity rate of 7.8%.
Monroe County confirmed an additional four cases of COVID-19, which pushes the county total to 808 cases. The county death total remained the same at 33, and the state reported 18,998 Monroe County residents have been tested.
Indiana University has mandated that students returning to campus must undergo COVID-19 testing, and in a press conference last week, Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill confirmed that student data will count toward Monroe County numbers if students reside in Monroe County. Kirk White, assistant vice president at IU, said the university will release its COVID-19 data on a university dashboard under construction at this time.
Currently, people ages 20-29 make up 35.6% of Monroe County’s positive cases, but people older than 50 account for 100% of the county’s deaths. That’s not to say young people are immune to the virus. Associated Press reports COVID-19 patients can develop long-term effects such as heart inflammation and worsening kidney and liver function.
Earlier this month, IU football team offensive lineman Brady Feeney was hospitalized due to COVID-19 complications and experienced possible heart issues, according to a Facebook post from his mother and subsequent media reports.
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