INDIANAPOLIS — For the third consecutive day, the Indiana State Department of Health has reported nearly 500 new COVID-19 cases.
According to the state health department, 2,424 Hoosiers have died from the coronavirus and 44,575 people have been diagnosed, an increase of 21 deaths and 496 cases since statistics were released Friday.
ISDH announced 523 Hoosiers tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday and 510 more on Friday.
An additional 192 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 677 deaths and 11,182 confirmed cases.
Other counties that have seen the largest number of deaths from COVID-19 include Lake County with 239, Johnson County with 117, Allen County with 104, Hendricks with 99 and Hamilton with 97.
A total of 463,017 people have been tested in Indiana with 9.6% testing positive, according to the state health department.
ISDH says 37.8% of ICU beds and 83.9% of ventilators were available as of Saturday
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.
New free drive-in testing sites
ISDH will host free drive-thru clinics next week in Goshen and Elkhart.
Goshen
Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Team Rehab, 223 Chicago Ave.
Elkhart
Tuesday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Tolson Community Youth Center, 1320 Benham Ave.
→ 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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