INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Department of Health reported an all-time high 142 COVID-19 deaths Tuesday, along with 5,518 additional cases.
According to ISDH statistics, the majority of deaths happened in the past week with 64 occurring between Sunday and Monday. Deaths are reported based on when the state receives data and occurred over multiple days.
A total of 3,460 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, an increase of 59 since Monday.
There have been 344,373 positive cases and 5,598 deaths in Indiana since the pandemic began. An additional 267 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.
Over the previous five days, the state reported 5,713 new cases on Monday, 4,335 on Sunday, 4,535 on Saturday, 5,700 on Friday and 6,434 new cases on Thursday.
Marion County continues to lead the state with 46,886 cases and 885 deaths reported. Other counties that have seen the largest number of deaths from COVID-19 include Lake County with 475, Allen County with 332, St. Joseph County with 242, Elkhart County with 242, Hamilton County with 175, Johnson County with 175 and Hendricks County with 162.
There have been more than 4.29 million COVID-19 tests administered to more than 2.2 million individuals with a 15.5% cumulative positivity rate among unique individuals. Indiana's seven-day positivity rate among unique individuals through Nov. 24 is 21.6%. Among all tests, the cumulative positivity rate is 7.3%, while the seven-day positivity rate is 11%.
The state health department said 24.2% of ICU beds and 71% of ventilators are available.
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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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