INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana has set a record for new COVID-19 cases for the third consecutive day.
According to statistics released Friday by the Indiana State Department of Health, 4,714 people tested positive and 37 more Hoosiers have died with COVID-19. Hospitalizations also rose to a new high of 2,001. The state reported 4,462 new cases on Thursday and 3,756 on Wednesday.
There have been 200,823 positive cases in Indiana in Indiana with 4,306 deaths since the pandemic began. An additional 241 probable COVID-19 deaths have also been reported.
The state health department said probable deaths are those 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.
Marion County continues to lead the state with 29,451 cases and 801 deaths reported. Other counties that have seen the largest number of deaths from COVID-19 include Lake County with 389, Allen County with 244, St. Joseph County with 184, Elkhart County with 161, Johnson County with 153, Hendricks County with 144 and Hamilton County with 132.
There have been more than 3.11 million COVID-19 tests administered to more than 1.77 million individuals with a 11.3% cumulative positivity rate among unique individuals. Indiana's seven-day positivity rate among unique individuals through Oct. 30 is 17.3%. Among all tests, the cumulative positivity rate is 6.1%, while the seven-day positivity rate is 8.9%.
The state health department said 28.6% of ICU beds and 77.2% of ventilators are available.
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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