INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Department of Health reported 1,302 new COVID-19 cases and 17 new deaths on Wednesday.
A total of 1,081 patients with the coronavirus are in the hospital. Since the pandemic began in March, 3,500 Hoosiers have died with COVID-19 and 128,227 have contracted the virus.
An additional 227 probable COVID-19 deaths have also been reported. ISDH 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.
Deaths are reported based on when data is received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days.
According to the state health department, Marion County continues to have the most deaths and cases in the state with 772 deaths and 22,560 confirmed cases.
Other counties that have seen the largest number of deaths from COVID-19 include Lake County with 334, Allen County with 209, Saint Joseph County with 130, Hendricks County with 127, Johnson County with 125 and Hamilton County with 110.
The results of more than 2.2 million COVID-19 tests for more than 1.4 million people have been reported to the Indiana State Department of Health with a cumulative positivity rate among unique individuals of 8.9% The state's seven-day positivity rate through Sept. 29 among unique individuals is 9%.
ISDH says 33.4% of ICU beds and 79.7% of ventilators were available as of Tuesday.
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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