Critics of COVID-19 regulations blamed additional testing for a spike in positive cases that began in mid-September, but record-high hospitalizations and increased deaths indicate additional testing is not solely to blame for higher numbers.
The Indiana State Department of Health reported Monday more than 100 new COVID-19 hospitalizations, increasing the state total to a record-high 2,174. The state recorded 34 new virus-related deaths and 4,213 cases, bringing totals to 4,418 deaths and 214,509 cases. Indiana averages more than 30 deaths a day which mirrors numbers reported in mid-May when tests were more limited. While increased testing could increase the number of cases discovered, it would have no effect on the number of COVID-19 deaths.
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Indiana has administered 3.2 million tests on 1.8 million individuals with a 9.6% seven-day positivity rate. In late September, Indiana had an average positivity rate of 4%.
In Monroe County, the ISDH reported 37 new cases, increasing the county total to 3,950 cases. The death toll remained at 42. The county has administered 140,006 tests on 55,307 individuals, and its seven-day positivity rate has increased to 5.7%.
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