UPDATE (July 31):
South Bend and St. Joseph County officials provided an update on where the COVID-19 situation stands locally as the month of July draws to a close.
It was pointed out that before July 4th, the county had under five COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents. But now the county has plateaued at about 15 new cases per 100,000 residents.
"We have no margin for error now where we are sitting," said South Bend Mayor James Mueller.
"What we need to do is take extra measures to contain the spread to get us back down to that safe level. We know we want to get our kids back in school as quickly as possible," Mueller added.
Earlier this week the St. Joseph County Health Department issued new guidance on reopening schools and as a result, Mishawaka and PHM schools have announced they will start the school year with no in-person option.
Classes will be all online to begin the academic year for students in those two school districts.
Meantime, Monday most high school fall sports practices in Indiana are scheduled to start.
On that topic, Mueller said, "If it's a choice between extracurriculars and getting kids back to school, that is a clear choice on what needs to happen."
He went on to address the fact that soon ND students will be arriving in the community.
"The other compounding factor we are facing is students at Notre Dame are set to come back in a couple weeks. We don't want to add more fuel to the fire with that. We think the university has a great plan in place, but we want to make sure there is no significant transmission between students and our community."
POSTED EARLIER (July 30):
NEW (July 30):
According to newly released data from the Indiana State Dept. of Health, the Hoosier State saw its second highest number of new daily cases of COVID-19 on Wed., July 29. The only day that Indiana saw more new cases was last week on Thurs., July 23. The state also reported 13 new deaths from the virus on July 29.
Meantime, this same set of new data shows St. Joseph County setting a new all time high for daily cases on Wed., July 29. The county reported 74 new cases. Previously the highest single day case count in St. Joe County was 68 cases on July 16.
Below is the ISDH graph showing St. Joseph County's cases.
PREVIOUS POST (July 24):
Based on figures released Friday by the Indiana State Dept. of Health, on Thurs., July 23rd, Indiana had its highest daily coronavirus case count yet, with numbers topping the 1,000 mark. Thursday 1,011 new cases were reported. Four new deaths were reported as well. This comes just one day after Indiana reported a previous high of 954 new cases on Wed., July 22. Earlier this week, Gov. Holcomb announced a statewide face mask mandate for the state that goes into effect Monday, July 27.
St. Joseph County saw 68 new cases reported Thursday. That is equal to the highest daily case count the county has experienced. On July 16, St. Joe Co. also saw 68 new cases.
EARLIER POST (July 23):
According to figures just released by the Indiana State Dept. of Health, on Wed., July 22nd Indiana saw its highest number of new daily COVID-19 cases yet. Wednesday 954 new cases were reported. That surpasses all other days since the state started keeping track at the beginning of the pandemic. 946 cases were reported back on Apr. 26, which up until now, had been the day of the highest daily case count in the Hoosier state. 17 deaths were reported Wednesday. In total, Indiana has seen 59,602 cases of COVID-19 and 2,683 deaths. People in the 20-29 age group continue to make up the highest number of cases.
EARLIER POST:
(Posted July 19, 2020):
The Indiana State Dept. of Health is reporting that on Friday (July 17) and Saturday (July 18) Indiana saw two of its three highest days of new daily COVID-19 cases. You have to go back to late April to find a day with a higher number of cases. Friday the state saw 855 new cases. Saturday the state recorded 927 new cases. April 26th is the only day where Indiana saw a higher number of new cases than that. On that day the state recorded 946 new cases. In total, Indiana now has seen 56,571 cases and 2,629 deaths.
ORIGINAL POST:
On Friday, July 17th Indiana as a whole saw the second highest number of new daily COVID-19 cases recorded since the pandemic began. You have to go back to late April to find a day with a higher number of cases. Friday the state saw 855 new cases. April 26th is the only day where Indiana saw a higher number of new cases than that. On that day the state recorded 946 new cases. In total, Indiana has seen 55,654 cases of COVID-19 resulting in 2,627 deaths. The state's positivity rate for testing is at 9.1 %. The largest number of positive cases are among people ages 20-29. You can see more data from Indiana's COVID-19 dashboard here.
