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 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.

Scientific studies have linked PFAS exposure to numerous health problems including thyroid disorders, liver damage, testicular and kidney cancer, pregnancy complications and increased cholesterol levels.

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.

Indiana reports more than 15,000 new COVID-19 cases in a single day. State health officials open booster shots to Hoosiers 12 to 15 years old. And the Indiana House GOP’s bill to effectively ban private companies from enforcing vaccine mandates passes its first legislative hurdle.

The Indiana Department of Health announced late Wednesday Hoosiers 12 to 15 years old are now eligible for booster shots.

The Indiana Department of Health will limit rapid antigen COVID-19 testing at state sites to Hoosiers 18 and younger and symptomatic Hoosiers 50 and older.

Dr. Lindsay Weaver is the chief medical officer for the Indiana Department of Health. She said the surge is driven by both new COVID-19 hospitalizations and Hoosiers who had to delay care because of the pandemic.

The Indiana Department of Health announced Sunday that the omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus was detected in the state.

Health officials in a southwestern Indiana county have turned to the state for help as they battle a worsening syphilis outbreak that began last summer.