INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana again reported record high numbers of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations on Wednesday.
The Indiana State Department of Health released statistics saying 5,156 people tested positive and 31 more Hoosiers died with COVID-19. Hospitalizations also rose to another new high of 2,544, an increase of 208 since Tuesday.
Over the previous five days, the state reported 4,879 new cases on Tuesday, 4,213 on Monday, 4,689 new cases on Sunday, 5,007 on Saturday, 4,714 new cases on Friday.
There have been 224,374 positive cases and 4,512 deaths in Indiana since the pandemic began. An additional 250 probable COVID-19 deaths have also been reported.
The state health department said probable deaths are those a physician listed COVID-19 as a contributing cause based on X-rays, scans and other clinical symptoms but for which no positive test is on record.
Marion County continues to lead the state with 32,031 cases and 810 deaths reported. Other counties that have seen the largest number of deaths from COVID-19 include Lake County with 401, Allen County with 255, St. Joseph County with 190, Elkhart County with 177, Johnson County with 158, Hamilton County with 149 and Hendricks County with 147.
There have been more than 3.3 million COVID-19 tests administered to more than 1.85 million individuals with a 12.1% cumulative positivity rate among unique individuals. Indiana's seven-day positivity rate among unique individuals through Nov. 4 is 19.9%. Among all tests, the cumulative positivity rate is 6.6%, while the seven-day positivity rate is 10.3%.
The state health department said 26.3% of ICU beds and 77% of ventilators are available.
Any Hoosier seeking COVID-testing can obtain it through one of the state-sponsored OptumServe sites, regardless of whether they are at high risk or have symptoms. To find testing locations around the state, visit www.coronavirus.in.gov and click on the COVID-19 testing information link. More than 200 locations are available around the state.
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Human coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through: Respiratory droplets released into the air by coughing and sneezing; close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands; touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands; rarely, fecal contamination.
The best way to protect yourself from any respiratory illness, including the flu, is to: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap & water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid close contact (within six feet) with people who are sick. Stay home when you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
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