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State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box, left, said there have been recent outbreaks of COVID-19 associated with the delta variant in four nursing homes, causing at least seven deaths.
Brandon Smith/IPB NewsIndiana health officials say they’re not planning any more statewide COVID-19 restrictions – even as they sound the alarm about a rise in cases related to the virus’s delta variant.
Indiana’s COVID-19 positivity rate was reported at its lowest level since the pandemic began just over a week ago. Since then, the rate has jumped 52 percent. That coincides with what State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box called a “significant increase” in the delta variant.
“This is important because 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,” Box said.
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Box said the state is starting to see that play out in nursing homes, where there have been four recent outbreaks, causing at least seven deaths. Those facilities are in Allen, Fulton, Gibson and Howard counties.
Indiana ranks middle of the pack nationwide for the percent of its long-term care facilities residents who are fully vaccinated at 79 percent. But the state is 10th worst in the country for the percentage of long-term care staff who are fully vaccinated – just 49 percent.
Box said the state is not, however, planning any new or renewed statewide restrictions.
“But individual communities and schools in consultation with their local public health may decide to make different decisions based on the level of infection at that time,” Box said.
Box said the best defense against the virus and its variants is to get vaccinated. She also said unvaccinated people should still wear masks in public settings.
Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.
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