.@GovHolcomb's weekly #coronavirus briefing about to begin. He's expected to announce whether he'll end, revise or extend the remaining restrictions on businesses and large gatherings; the current order expires Friday.
Pre-clarifying: Holcomb's #MaskUp order is a separate order; even the no-restrictions Stage 5 "highly recommends" masks.
BREAKING: @GovHolcomb will lift final restrictions on restaurants and bars.
Holcomb: "I want to say thank you. We don't [get to this point] without adjusting our routines -- all those actions, masking up, washing hands, have an effect....They may sound like the basics, but they're true."
Indiana is averaging about 15K #covid19 tests a day, with average positivity rate hovering around 4%. 58 of the 92 counties are graded in blue (lowest risk) on the ISDH #Covid scoring system.
Holcomb: "We like the path that we're on, but we really have to underscore how important it is to continue to make those adjustments and operate in a very safe manner. It has a huge impact beyond your personal space."
Holcomb reminds Hoosiers that while #COVID19 may be more common in #longtermcare, urban areas, etc., it's taking lives across the board.
#MaskUp order continues. No capacity limits for restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, mass gatherings, but gatherings of >500 people will still require approval from local health department.
The latest order extends through October 17.
Social distancing still required at restaurants, bars, etc.
Holcomb: "Not every establishment will be able to operate at their previous capacity, because of that social distancing," but no percentage cap on capacity. He says continued distancing is important to guard against resurgence. ISDH will continue to monitor data on spread.
Latest changes take effect Saturday.
Indiana is expanding CARES Act-funded job training programs, allowing tuition-free pursuit of certifications.
Must enroll by December 30; federal funding expires with the new year.
Phase 3 of random-sample @FSPH_IUPUI study of #COVID spread is underway. Holcomb urges people asked to participate to do so.
ISDH commissioner Kris Box goes where CDC backed off over the weekend, warning #coronavirus can spread through aerosols, reinforcing the importance of wearing masks "as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the spread."
Box: Elkhart County cut positivity rates nearly in half after enacting local #MaskMandate. Marion County positivity declined by one-third after enacting mask order. State positivity has declined as well. "This is a must in order for us to save lives and keep Indiana open."
Box: two-thirds of Monroe County cases are among IU students. Gibson County, the other county scored in orange because of a high number of cases, is the result of an outbreak at a longterm care facility.
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