Thread by @WIBC_EricBerman

.@GovHolcomb's weekly #coronavirus briefing about to begin.

Holcomb begins by praising @INSBOE vote this morning to ensure full funding to schools holding classes online due to the pandemic. bit.ly/3gLXx7O

ISDH Commissioner Kris Box: new "COVID score" map will go live on ISDH dashboard overnight.

The calculation of the score will be a little different from what was announced last week; Box says changes in the positivity rate are too volatile to be a reliable reflection of virus's spread. Instead, it'll combine just two factors: positivity and cases per capita.

Box: contact tracers have identified 3,300 cases linked to gathering places, from bars and restaurants to family gatherings. Largest example cited by Box = 12 cases tied to people at the same bar on the same day.

Box urges people to keep safety in mind as they make #LaborDay plans, noting surges after both Memorial Day and #4thOfJuly.

College testing is included in state dashboards. Box says ISDH has reached out to universities, urging them to report results to state if they aren't already, and asking if they'd like the state to report their data separately.

Box: #herdimmunity has been questioned as a strategy "from the very beginning." That skepticism is reinforced by first documented instances of recovered patients being reinfected. When there's a #vaccine, it'll likely be like #FluShot, with revaccination needed.

While ISDH classifies college students by the county they put on their intake form as their address, Box says the department is urging testing sites to make sure students put down their local (college) address to get true picture of spread.

Federal eviction moratorium taking effect Friday applies only to nonpayment of rent; you can still get evicted for other lease violations. Admin notes you still owe your rent; there's just a pause on evicting you over it.

Chicago requires visitors from 21 states and Puerto Rico to quarantine upon arrival. IN's not one of them, but the city says IN could be added next week if cases keep rising. Holcomb says he believes Chicago recognizes much of IN's increase is contained to college communities.

Iowa and Missouri are the only states of the six adjoining Illinois which are included in the Chicago travel restrictions.

Holcomb: "I'll stay in my lane" and leave it to @bigten to decide for itself whether to reverse its cancellation of football season. President Trump has been tweeting and talking with conference leadership urging the Big Ten to play.

Box following the CDC's lead in explaining how some have misinterpreted COVID death rate. It's "absolutely incorrect" that 94% of the 180K #coronavirus deaths aren't really from COVID19.

Box: "In IN, we are very careful" about reviewing death certificates before adding to #coronavirus death toll. But just because someone has underlying conditions doesn't mean COVID isn't the primary cause of death. @confectionsmd adds IN's process is among US's most rigorous.