INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana has reported more than 4,000 new COVID-19 cases for the first time.
According to statistics released Thursday by the Indiana State Department of Health, 4,462 people tested positive and 45 more Hoosiers have died with COVID-19. The state also set a new high for hospitalizations with 1,948.
There have been 196,176 positive cases in Indiana in Indiana with 4,269 deaths since the pandemic began. An additional 242 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 29,049 cases and 800 deaths reported. Other counties that have seen the largest number of deaths from COVID-19 include Lake County with 387, Allen County with 243, St. Joseph County with 183, Elkhart County with 157, Johnson County with 152, Hendricks County with 146 and Hamilton County with 131.
There have been more than 3.07 million COVID-19 tests administered to more than 1.76 million individuals with a 11.1% cumulative positivity rate among unique individuals. Indiana's seven-day positivity rate among unique individuals through Oct. 29 is 17.1%. Among all tests, the cumulative positivity rate is 6.1%, while the seven-day positivity rate is 8.8%.
The state health department said 28.5% of ICU beds and 77.1% 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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