WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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42 states saw an increase in Covid-19 cases between last week and the week before, and Indiana is no exception.
According to the latest Indiana State Department of Health Covid-19 update, from July 9th, Indiana’s Covid-19 positivity rate rose to 3.2% last week from its 2.1% low in June. Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box explained that new Covid-19 variants account for much of this uptick.
“We have seen an increase in the Delta variant that originated in India,” said Dr. Box.
The Delta variant accounted for nearly 56% of Covid-19 tests sequenced between June 11 and July 8.
Dr. Box emphasized the risks posed by Covid-19 variants.
“These mutations of the virus have been shown to be more infectious, more easily transmitted and to potentially cause more severe illness than the original strain,” said Box.
Across the four long-term care facilities that have seen outbreaks, at least 27 residents and staff have been infected, and at least 7 residents have died. Most of these cases were among unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals.
Dr. Box explained that breakthrough infections among fully vaccinated individuals are very rare.
“The number of breakthrough cases statewide remains very small in comparison to the number of the people who are fully vaccinated,” she said.
Dr. Lindsay Weaver, Indiana’s Chief Medical Officer, explained that 2.9 million Hoosiers have been vaccinated, but obstacles remain.
“We continue to see gaps in vaccine uptake – both by age and by geography,” said Weaver.
Especially as Covid-19 variants continue to spread, Dr. Weaver underscored the importance of getting the vaccine.
“The vaccine is still the most effective tool that we have to protect the people we love,” she said.
According to the New York Times interactive Covid-19 tracker, local vaccination rates exceed the state average of 43%, but 49% of Monroe County residents remain unvaccinated. For more information on the Covid-19 vaccine, Dr. Weaver encourages Hoosiers to visit the CDC website and ourshot.in.gov.
