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Indiana reports 60 more COVID-19 deaths and 6,143 new positive cases

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Posted at 12:04 PM, Nov 18, 2020
and last updated 2020-11-18 12:13:11-05

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Department of Health reported Wednesday that 60 more Hoosiers have died with COVID-19 and 6,143 others tested positive for the virus.

Over the previous five days, the state reported 5,541 new cases on Tuesday, 5,218 on Monday, 6,844 on Sunday, a record 8,451 on Saturday and 5,708 on Friday. On Wednesday, ISDH also reported 3,040 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, an increase of 89 since Tuesday.

There have been 268,222 positive cases and 4,830 deaths in Indiana since the pandemic began. An additional 254 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 37,552 cases and 828 deaths reported. Other counties that have seen the largest number of deaths from COVID-19 include Lake County with 430, Allen County with 279, St. Joseph County with 204, Elkhart County with 197, Johnson County with 160, Hamilton County with 155 and Hendricks County with 152.

There have been more than 3.66 million COVID-19 tests administered to more than 1.98 million individuals with a 13.5% cumulative positivity rate among unique individuals. Indiana's seven-day positivity rate among unique individuals through Nov. 11 is 23.4%. Among all tests, the cumulative positivity rate is 6.8%, while the seven-day positivity rate is 12.2%.

The state health department said 21.7% of ICU beds and 72.7% 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.


FULL CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE FROM WRTV


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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