Most WVPE listener counties are still in the most severe “red” category, indicating unchecked community spread of the virus, on Indiana’s COVID-19 tracking map.
Last week, every WVPE listener county was in the “red.” Now, Marshall and Pulaski County have dropped into the “orange” category, indicating high spread of the virus.
Statewide, 45 Indiana counties are “red” — including almost all of the northern third of the state — and 47 are “orange.” Only one county in southern Indiana remains “yellow,” indicating moderate spread.
Hospitalizations continue to surge in Healthcare District Two, which covers most of the WVPE listening area.
As of Tuesday, there were 322 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, and 4 more who are suspected to have the disease for a total of 326.
That’s only four more patients than last Tuesday but double the number of patients a month ago and almost as high as the peak of the winter 2020 surge.
Currently, 12 percent of area ICU beds are available — a decrease from last week’s 17.8 percent — and 45.3 percent of area ICU beds are occupied by COVID-19 patients.
Yesterday, the statewide hospital census surpassed 3,000 for the first time in 2021.
Statewide COVID cases may be plateauing at a high level after skyrocketing last week. On Tuesday, the state reported 4,729 new cases and the seven-day moving average was 4,410, down from 4,731 on Dec. 7. In the past seven days, Indiana has reported nearly 32,000 new COVID-19 cases.
Between Oct. 21 and Nov. 3, the seven-day moving average plateaued between 1,550 and 1,650.
COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are also surging in Michigan. As of Monday, Berrien County reported a seven-day moving average of 531 new cases per 100,000 people.
That’s a decrease from the Dec. 5 high of 673, but still at a level not seen since the winter 2020 surge.
According to Indiana’s vaccine dashboard, 58.9 percent of Hoosiers aged 12 and older and 54 percent of Hoosiers aged 5 and older are fully vaccinated.
In addition, about 32 percent of fully vaccinated Hoosiers have received COVID-19 booster shots. But vaccination rates still vary widely by zip code.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, all counties in Indiana and Michigan have “high” community spread of the virus. That means both vaccinated and unvaccinated Michiganders and Hoosiers should wear masks indoors.
Contact Jakob at jlazzaro@wvpe.org or follow him on Twitter at @JakobLazzaro.
If you appreciate this kind of journalism on your local NPR station, please support it by donating here.
