Indiana Exceeds 15,000 Dead, A Larger Share Of Younger Hoosiers Make Up Recent Deaths

Indiana has added 1,000 new confirmed COVID-19 deaths to its total in just four weeks, pushing the state past another grim milestone: 15,000 dead. A larger share of younger Hoosiers are dying from COVID-19.

With updated death data from the weekend, the Indiana Department of Health reported 89 deaths, bringing the total to 15,069. 

After peaking at an average of 98 deaths per day in December, Indiana’s average plummeted to less than 10 per day from April until July. August’s average climbed to 18 deaths per day. September so far is about 33. 

To put that in context, the total deaths reported in June, July and August combined only barely surpass September’s total.

Larger counties accounted for a greater share of the deaths from the last four weeks: Marion, Lake and Allen counties all reported 50 or more deaths. Taking into account population, seven counties reported more than four deaths per 10,000 residents.

These deaths are also younger than earlier in the pandemic. Before Aug. 1, fewer than 3 percent of deaths were Hoosiers younger than 50. But since Aug. 1, that has grown to 10 percent.

READ MORE: How Is Indiana Distributing COVID-19 Vaccines? Here's What You Need To Know

Join the conversation and sign up for the Indiana Two-Way. Text "Indiana" to 73224. Your comments and questions in response to our weekly text help us find the answers you need on COVID-19 and other statewide issues.

State health officials say there are an additional 492 suspected COVID-19 deaths – where a test wasn’t administered but health care professionals believe the person had the virus.

IDOH reported 177 deaths in the last seven days – it’s important to note, deaths take longer to report than cases, so this number is likely to rise.

Contact Lauren at lchapman@wfyi.org or follow her on Twitter at @laurenechapman_.