DR. BOX: Indiana COVID-19 Cases Are on the Rise, That's Why We Paused Reopening

BY: DAVID SHEPHERD, NEWS DIRECTOR / PHOTO: WIBC

STATEWIDE -- 2,546 Hoosiers have died from the virus and nearly 50,000 have tested positive.

Nearly 38% of ICU beds are available.  A little over half of the used beds are occupied by COVID-19 patients.

83% of the state’s ventilators are also available. 

"The seven day average positivity rate in Indiana was 5.9% through July 4th, but the single-day positivity rate on July 4th was 6.4%.  The rate has steadily increased," says State Health Commissioner, Dr. Kris Box.  "The rates of positive tests have been rising in specific areas throughout the country and we're also seeing a few localized hot-spots in a handful of Indiana counties, Box added.  "We anticipated this, which is why we paused the reopening plan last week."