INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Department of Health reported Wednesday that 14 more Hoosiers have died from COVID-19 and 506 tested positive.
Since the coronavirus pandemic began in March, 2,968 Hoosiers have died from COVID-19 and 82,336 have been diagnosed with the virus.
An additional 212 probable COVID-19 deaths have also been reported, an increase of four since Saturday. ISDH said probable deaths are that 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.
Deaths are reported based on when data is received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days.
According to the state health department, Marion County continues to have the most deaths and cases in the state with 740 deaths and 16,944 confirmed cases.
Other counties that have seen the largest number of deaths from COVID-19 include Lake County with 287, Allen County with 171, Johnson County with 120, Hendricks County with 109 and Hamilton County with 106.
A total of 934,033 people have been tested in Indiana with 8.8% testing positive, according to the state health department. ISDH reported the state's seven-day positivity rate is 7.7%.
ISDH says 34.8% of ICU beds and 81.4% of ventilators were available as of Tuesday. Currently, 842 people are hospitalized in Indiana with COVID-19.
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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