Indiana added 1,000 new confirmed COVID-19 deaths to its total in just two weeks, pushing the state past another grim milestone: 20,000 dead.

The Indiana House votes to effectively ban COVID-19 vaccine mandates, sending it to the Senate. Indiana hits one year since it fully vaccinated its first resident. And Indiana surpassed 1.5 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, with some early signs of slowing.

The Indiana Department of Health previously required all schools to report positive cases and close contacts to the state. But schools with mask mandates in place now only have to report the positive cases.

COVID-19 has only added to challenges many child care providers face, especially in rural
areas.

Court officials in Marion County announced Thursday that jury trials would resume "with a phased in approach" starting Jan. 31.

It's normal for hospitals to expand intensive care unit capacity, especially during flu seasons. To do so requires health care staff, supplies and space. But hospitals say they've already been running at capacity for the last two years, largely because of the effects of COVID-19.

With Thursday's update from the Indiana Department of Health, Indiana surpassed 1.5 million confirmed COVID-19 cases. The state hit that milestone just one week after surpassing 1.4 million.

The color-coded coronavirus risk map on the Indiana Department of Health's dashboard showed that as of Wednesday the entire state was in the highest-risk red category, which indicates very high community spread of COVID-19.

In early January, fewer than 100 incarcerated people had the virus. As of Wednesday, the Indiana Department of Correction reported 571 positive cases.

Under the bill, which is set for a House vote Tuesday, businesses are allowed to require employees to be vaccinated. But if they do so, they'd have to accept four exemptions.