The latest data released by the Indiana State Dept. of Health shows that on Oct. 1st the state hit a new high in daily COVID-19 cases.
Thursday the state saw 1,495 new cases.
As Indiana Public Broadcasting reported just two days ago, the state’s positivity rate is up and hospitalizations are at their highest level in a month. Two weeks ago, Indiana’s rate of COVID-19 spread was the sixth best in the nation. It’s now it's the fourth worst.
Gov. Holcomb just moved the state to Stage 5, the least restrictive phase in the reopening plan, as of last weekend.
Also today St. Joseph County health officials held a news conference to discuss their concern over "disturbing" trends in increased case numbers and hospitalizations in the county. There are concerns about the stress it is putting on the health delivery system locally. One hospital official said her facility was down to just three ICU beds available as of Thursday. Health officials expressed concerns about running out of beds to care for patients and having to potentially curtail elective procedures if the trends continue.
Dr. Mark Fox with the St. Joe Co. Health Dept. says there is currently widespread community transmission. He says the state as a whole and our region is not in a position to be in Stage 5. Fox says that he is concerned that psychologically the move to Stage 5 will allow people to think the worst is behind us when he says it is not, especially with flu season upon us.
