Indiana elder care providers are tapping state legislators to help recruit and retain workers as the coronavirus pandemic continues to exacerbate strains on nursing facility staffs.

The first U.S. omicron case was identified Wednesday about a week after its discovery in South Africa. While there are concerns about the variants transmissibility, the number of mutations it possesses make it easier to detect than other strains.

According to a release from the hospital, 41 patients are currently hospitalized with COVID, 35 of whom are unvaccinated. That’s the highest number of COVID patients so far this year.

Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the 21st monthlong extension of the public health emergency he first issued in March 2020 along with an executive order continuing a handful of administrative actions but no business or crowd restrictions. Both orders are in effect until Jan. 1.

The Indiana Department of Health reported more than 6,000 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday.

Indiana House Republicans have revealed their top priority for the 2022 legislative session. The House GOP caucus's 56 members signed on to a reintroduced bill that would effectively ban private companies from enforcing COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

The Indiana Hospital Association, Indiana State Medical Association and Indiana State Nurses Association said more vaccinations are needed to relieve pressure on the state's health care system.

Indiana has seen a 66% increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations over the past three weeks after declines from a summer surge peak of nearly 2,700 patients in September.

Pediatric COVID-19 vaccine appointments opened just more than four weeks ago -- nearly 62,000 have already received at least one of two doses.

Republican lawmakers are backing off their plan to return to the Statehouse next week to pass a bill that effectively bars employers from enforcing COVID-19 vaccine mandates.