Indiana shattered its record for COVID-19 cases reported in a single day Friday, with more than 1,832 Hoosiers testing positive for the virus – following two weeks of worsening numbers.
The state has reported more than 1,000 new cases for nine of the last 14 days.
Over the last week, 105 Hoosiers have been confirmed to have died because of COVID-19 – the highest one-week total since June 20.
The state’s hospitalization rate has also seen an increase – with 1,187 Hoosiers hospitalized with the novel coronavirus. That’s the highest since May 21. The state’s ventilator supply remains steady, but availability of ICU beds is at its lowest – 30.3 percent, or 672 open beds – since the state started reporting that number in early April.
Earlier this week, State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box said Indiana’s recent COVID-19 numbers are concerning, but also cautioned that much of the state is still in a low-risk position.
Gov. Eric Holcomb has emphasized his ongoing position: It’s the responsibility of all Hoosiers to help mitigate the virus’s spread.
Holcomb lifted almost all COVID-19 restrictions two weeks ago.
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In a statement Friday, Democratic gubernatorial candidate, and former state health commissioner, Dr. Woody Myers called the new numbers "preventable." He urged pulling the state back into an earlier stage of the state's reopening plan.
"Continuing with Stage 5 of the reopening plan puts Hoosiers on a similar road as the Trump administration, which only drives Hoosiers to tragic and cruel outcomes, risking our lives," Myers said in a statement.
Contact Lauren at lchapman@wfyi.org or follow her on Twitter at @laurenechapman_.
