INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s hospitals have been pushed to the limit during the omicron surge as nearly half of the state’s population remains unvaccinated against COVID-19.
A new WalletHub study points to just how bad the situation has become in the Hoosier State: Indiana is the second least safe state during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Indiana ranked 50th on the list of “Safest States During COVID-19,” which includes the 50 states, plus Washington D.C. Only Oklahoma is worse off than Indiana, according to WalletHub.
The rankings take into account vaccination rate, positive testing rate, hospitalization rate, death rate and transmission rate.
The five categories are averaged together and graded on a 100-point scale, with 100 representing the safest conditions. Indiana came out with a score of 18.35 out of 100.
According to the study, Indiana is 49th in vaccination rate, 40th in positive testing rate, 32nd in hospitalization rate, 45th in death rate and 18th in transmission rate through Wednesday.
The Indiana National Guard and federal medical personnel teams are still assisting at hospitals around the state, including IU Health Methodist Hospital, as heath care officials plead with Hoosiers to get vaccinated saying, "We can't do this alone."
On Wednesday, the Indiana Department of Health reported 129 COVID-19 deaths, 5,536 new positive cases and 3,206 hospitalizations. The state’s 7-day positivity rate among all tests was 30.5%.
Nearly 20,300 Hoosiers are confirmed to have died from COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.
-
Illinois Senate passes Bears stadium bill hours after midnight deadline
The Illinois Senate early Monday morning passed legislation aimed at keeping the Bears in Chicago, sending it to the House for another vote.
High-speed chase ends with arrest of unlicensed driver in Lake County
A man with no valid driver's license was arrested late Saturday night in Lake County after fleeing police, hitting speeds of 130 mph on eastbound I-94.
Warm, humid start to June, small chances for rain later on
Temperatures climb slightly as the first week of June rolls on. By the weekend, the drier pattern we've been in could show signs of breaking.
Indy Pride attendees can access same-day HIV prevention medication
The Damien Center announced Monday that it will offer a daily prescription medication for people who do not have HIV but are at risk of contracting it during the 2026 Indy Pride Festival.
