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Indiana reports 26 more COVID-19 deaths and 5,218 new positive cases

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Posted at 11:57 AM, Nov 16, 2020
and last updated 2020-11-16 12:07:21-05

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Department of Health reported Monday that 26 more Hoosiers have died with COVID-19 and 5,218 people have tested positive.

Over the previous five days, the state reported 6,844 new cases on Sunday, a record 8,451 on Saturday, 5,708 on Friday, 6,654 on Thursday and 5,156 on Wednesday. On Monday, ISDH also reported 2,768 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, a decrease of 140 since Sunday.

There have been 256,744 positive cases and 4,686 deaths in Indiana since the pandemic began. An additional 250 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 36,006 cases and 823 deaths reported. Other counties that have seen the largest number of deaths from COVID-19 include Lake County with 413, Allen County with 268, St. Joseph County with 197, Elkhart County with 187, Johnson County with 160, Hamilton County with 153 and Hendricks County with 150.

There have been more than 3.56 million COVID-19 tests administered to more than 1.95 million individuals with a 13.2% cumulative positivity rate among unique individuals. Indiana's seven-day positivity rate among unique individuals through Nov. 9 is 22.6%. Among all tests, the cumulative positivity rate is 6.7%, while the seven-day positivity rate is 11.7%.

The state health department said 26.2% of ICU beds and 75% 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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