Indiana Health Department Provides Media Update on COVID-19, Variants

Indianapolis - Friday morning, Department of Health Officers met with the media to update the state on rising positivity rates, breakthrough cases, outbreaks, and more.

Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsey Weaver presented the current climate surrounding the coronavirus.

While the positive case rate had been nearing early-pandemic rates, health officials are beginning to see the numbers bounce back.

"Our positivity rate, which had dropped to as low as 2.1% in late June, has crept back up and now stands at 3.2%," Dr. Kristina Box said. "While we are incredibly grateful to see the number of new deaths remain at the lowest levels since early in the pandemic, we have also seen a slight uptick in hospitalizations."

A portion of the rise in cases has been attributed to new variants. Though the B117, Alpha (originating in the United Kingdom), remains the top variant by case number, there has been a steep increase in the Delta variant (India).

Box warned that the new Delta variant may be more infectious and cause more serious illness than other strains of the disease.

"Unfortunately, we have seen that play out in several long-term care facilities recently," Box said. "We currently are dealing with outbreaks involving residents and staff at four facilities throughout the state: these are located at Howard, Fulton, Allen, and Gibson Counties."

These outbreaks have been responsible for a total of seven deaths in the four congregate facilities. The state is still working for infection control procedures in facilities.

Health Officials expect to see more outbreaks in areas with lower vaccination percentages.

Box noted that for individuals whom are vaccinated, breakthrough cases remain low, and the vaccine has shown to be 92-94% effective in extreme outcomes.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsey Weaver presented the current vaccination percentages throughout the state, showing that 2.9 million Hoosiers, 49%, have received the full inoculation. The lowest percentage by age bracket was the 12-17 age group, where only 17% have received the COVID-19 vaccine.