INDIANAPOLIS — Another 15 Hoosiers have died from COVID-19 and 671 new confirmed cases were reported on Wednesday by the Indiana State Health Department.
Since the coronavirus pandemic began in March, 2,878 Hoosiers have died from COVID-19 and 76,522 have been diagnosed with the virus.
An additional 208 probable COVID-19 deaths have also been reported. 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 731 deaths and 16,194 confirmed cases.
Other counties that have seen the largest number of deaths from COVID-19 include Lake County with 281, Allen County with 163, Johnson County with 119, Hendricks County with 108 and Hamilton County with 104.
As of today, more than 34 percent of ICU beds and nearly 82 percent of ventilators are available across the state.
To date, 866,994 tests for unique individuals have been reported to ISDH, up from 861,655 Tuesday
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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