INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Department of Health says more than 43,500 Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since the pandemic began in March.
According to the state health department, 2,394 Hoosiers have died from the coronavirus and 43,665 people have been diagnosed, an increase of 9 deaths and 523 cases since statistics were released Wednesday.
An additional 192 probable COVID-19 deaths have also been reported. ISDH said probable deaths are that a physician listed COVID-19 as a contributing cause based on X-rays, scans and other clinical symptoms but for which no positive test is on record.
Deaths are reported based on when data is received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days.
According to the state health department, Marion County continues to have the most deaths and cases in the state with 675 deaths and 11,042 confirmed cases.
Other counties that have seen the largest number of deaths from COVID-19 include Lake County with 238 deaths, Johnson County with 117 deaths and Hamilton, Allen and Hendricks counties with 97 deaths.
A total of 444,252 people have been tested in Indiana with 9.8% testing positive, according to the state health department.
ISDH says 35.8% of ICU beds and 82.7% of ventilators were available as of Thursday.
Any Hoosier seeking COVID-testing can obtain it through one of the state-sponsored OptumServe sites, regardless of whether they are at high risk or have symptoms. To find testing locations around the state, visit www.coronavirus.in.gov and click on the COVID-19 testing information link. More than 200 locations are available around the state.
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Human coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through: Respiratory droplets released into the air by coughing and sneezing; close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands; touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands; rarely, fecal contamination.
The best way to protect yourself from any respiratory illness, including the flu, is to: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap & water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid close contact (within six feet) with people who are sick. Stay home when you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
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