Indiana coronavirus updates: WHO chief says pandemic is ‘most certainly not over’

INDIANAPOLIS — Listed below are Monday’s newest updates on the coronavirus pandemic, together with the most recent information on COVID-19 vaccinations and testing in Indiana.

Registrations for the vaccine at the moment are open for Hoosiers 5 and older by means of the Indiana State Division of Well being. This story will likely be up to date over the course of the day with extra information on the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is the whole lot we all know concerning the COVID-19 vaccine

Biden administration launches covid.gov website

The COVID-19 pandemic is “most definitely not over,” the pinnacle of the World Well being Group warned Sunday, regardless of a decline in reported circumstances for the reason that peak of the omicron wave. He instructed governments that “we decrease our guard at our peril.”

The U.N. well being company’s director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, instructed officers gathered in Geneva for opening of the WHO’s annual assembly that “declining testing and sequencing means we’re blinding ourselves to the evolution of the virus.” He additionally famous that just about 1 billion individuals in lower-income international locations nonetheless have not been vaccinated.

In a weekly report Thursday on the worldwide state of affairs, WHO stated the variety of new COVID-19 circumstances seems to have stabilized after weeks of decline since late March, whereas the general variety of weekly deaths dropped. 

Whereas there was progress, with 60% of the world’s inhabitants vaccinated, “it’s not over wherever till it’s over all over the place,” Tedros stated.

“Reported circumstances are growing in nearly 70 international locations in all areas, and this in a world during which testing charges have plummeted,” he added.

Reported deaths are rising in Africa, the continent with the bottom vaccination protection, he stated, and solely 57 international locations — nearly all of them rich — have vaccinated 70% of their individuals.

MORE: WHO chief: The COVID pandemic is ‘most definitely not over’

There have been greater than 83.28 million confirmed circumstances of COVID-19 in the USA as of two a.m. ET Monday, in accordance with Johns Hopkins College. There have been greater than 1,002,170 deaths recorded within the U.S.

Worldwide, there have been greater than 525.61 million confirmed coronavirus circumstances with greater than 6.27 million deaths and greater than 11.44 billion vaccine doses administered.

For most individuals, the coronavirus causes gentle or reasonable signs. For some, particularly older adults and other people with present well being issues, it may well trigger extra extreme sickness like pneumonia, or demise.

The White Home is planning for what it calls “dire” contingencies that would embrace rationing provides of vaccines and coverings this fall if Congress doesn’t approve more cash for preventing COVID-19. 

Biden administration officers have been warning for weeks that the nation has spent almost all the cash authorized for COVID-19 response. The administration faces essential selections about how one can spend what’s left. 

In public feedback and personal conferences on Capitol Hill, Dr. Ashish Jha, the White Home coronavirus coordinator, has painted a darkish image during which the U.S. might be compelled to cede most of the advances made towards the coronavirus during the last two years and even probably the most susceptible might face provide shortages.

The administration is weighing whether or not to make use of it to safe the subsequent technology of vaccines to guard the best threat populations or to prioritize extremely efficient therapies to cut back the dangers of extreme sickness and demise. 

Rationing might expose even probably the most susceptible to shortages.

That call could also be made within the coming week, in accordance with the administration, because the White Home faces imminent deadlines to start inserting orders for vaccines and coverings earlier than different nations soar forward of the U.S. in accessing provide.

The Indiana Division of Well being introduced Friday that Hoosiers age 5-11 at the moment are eligible for a booster dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine following authorization this week from the FDA and CDC.

The IDOH is advising vaccine suppliers that they’ll start administering boosters of the Pfizer pediatric vaccine to kids within the age group whose final dose was administered not less than 5 months in the past.

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is presently the one one licensed for youngsters age 5-11.

You could find a vaccine location at ourshot.in.gov or by calling Indiana 211 (866-211-9966). Any website administering pediatric doses can administer a pediatric booster dose. Most websites settle for walk-ins.

Youngsters ages 5 to 11 ought to get a booster dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, advisers to the U.S. authorities stated Thursday.

If the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention agrees, as anticipated, it could open a 3rd COVID-19 shot to wholesome elementary-age children — identical to what’s already advisable for everyone 12 and older.

The hope is that an additional shot will shore up safety for youths ages 5 to 11 as infections as soon as once more are on the rise.

Earlier this week, the Meals and Drug Administration licensed Pfizer’s kid-sized booster, to be supplied not less than 5 months after the kids’ final shot.

The CDC takes the subsequent step of recommending who truly wants vaccinations. Its advisers debated if all in any other case wholesome 5- to 11-year-olds want an additional dose, particularly since so many kids have been contaminated in the course of the enormous winter surge of the omicron variant.

However the U.S. now could be averaging 100,000 new circumstances a day for the primary time since February. And in the end, the CDC’s advisers pointed to rising proof from older children and adults that two main vaccinations plus a booster are offering the most effective safety towards the most recent coronavirus variants.

MORE: CDC advisers urge Pfizer booster for youngsters ages 5 to 11

The U.S. Meals and Drug Administration has given the greenlight to the primary non-prescription COVID-19 take a look at that additionally detects the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). 

The take a look at includes taking a nasal swab pattern at residence after which sending it to Labcorp for testing. Outcomes are then delivered by means of a web-based portal, with follow-up from a well being care supplier if it is a constructive or invalid take a look at outcome, the FDA defined in its announcement. 

The take a look at can detect a number of respiratory viruses on the identical time, together with influenza A and B, generally often known as the flu, RSV, together with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. 

RSV is a standard virus that normally causes gentle, cold-like signs, in accordance with the CDC. Whereas most individuals get well in every week or two, it may be severe, particularly for infants and older adults, the company explains on its web site. RSV is the most typical reason behind bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children youthful than one.

Labcorp’s take a look at equipment will be bought on-line or in a retailer and not using a prescription and is designed for individuals 2 years and older.

MORE: FDA authorizes at-home take a look at for COVID, flu and RSV

COVID-19 circumstances are growing in the USA – and will get even worse over the approaching months, federal well being officers warned Wednesday in urging areas hardest hit to think about reissuing requires indoor masking.

Rising numbers of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations are placing extra of the nation below pointers issued by the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention that decision for masking and different an infection precautions.

Proper now, a few third of the U.S. inhabitants lives in areas which might be thought of at increased threat — principally within the Northeast and Midwest. These are areas the place individuals ought to already be contemplating carrying masks indoors — however Individuals elsewhere must also take discover, officers stated.

Monday, seven Indiana counties (Lawrence, Orange, Posey, Gibson, Vanderburgh, Warrick, and Spencer) the place listed by the CDC knowledge map as having “medium” neighborhood threat. Surrounding Indiana, the Louisville and Chicago metro areas are additionally deemed medium threat by the CDC.

The federal government web site for individuals to request free COVID-19 at-home assessments from the U.S. authorities is now accepting a 3rd spherical of orders.

The White Home introduced Tuesday that U.S. households can request an extra eight free at-home assessments to be shipped by the U.S. Postal Service.

President Joe Biden dedicated in January to creating 1 billion assessments obtainable to the general public freed from cost, together with 500 million obtainable by means of covidtests.gov. However simply 350 million of the quantity obtainable for ordering on-line have been shipped to this point to addresses throughout the continental U.S., its territories and abroad army bases, the White Home stated.

Individuals who have problem getting on-line or need assistance inserting an order can name 1-800-232-0233 for help.

The third spherical brings to 16 the full variety of free assessments obtainable to every U.S. family for the reason that program began earlier this yr. Households have been eligible to obtain 4 assessments throughout every of two earlier rounds of ordering by means of the web site.

The Indiana Division of Well being introduced Wednesday that Hoosiers age 50 and older, in addition to these 12 and older with weakened immune programs, at the moment are eligible to obtain a second mRNA COVID-19 booster shot not less than 4 months after their first booster dose.

The announcement comes sooner or later after the Meals and Drug Administration licensed an additional dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine for that age group and and sure youthful individuals with severely weakened immune programs.

The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention later advisable the additional shot as an possibility however stopped in need of urging that these eligible rush out and get it immediately.

The IDOH is advising vaccine suppliers that they’ll start administering second boosters of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines to individuals who qualify.

The CDC additionally says that adults who acquired a main vaccine and booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine not less than 4 months in the past might now obtain a second booster dose of both mRNA vaccine.

You could find a vaccine location at ourshot.in.gov or by calling Indiana 211 (866-211-9966). Appointments are advisable, however many websites do settle for walk-ins.

The Marion County Public Well being Division (MCPHD) continues to offer free COVID-19 vaccination and testing to anybody thinking about receiving these companies.

MCPHD is working one COVID-19 testing website, which is a drive-thru clinic positioned at 3838 N. Rural St. in Indianapolis.

The clinic’s present hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. This clinic provides PCR testing solely and no speedy testing. A listing of extra take a look at websites registered with the Indiana Division of Well being is offered at coronavirus.in.gov.

Appointments for COVID-19 testing on the MCPHD location aren’t required however can be found by visiting marionhealth.org/indycovid or calling 317-221-5515.

MCPHD can be providing COVID-19 vaccines at its district well being workplaces, ACTION Well being Middle, and 4 different places in Marion County. Appointments for vaccines aren’t required however are advisable. 

Please go to ourshot.in.gov or name 2-1-1 to discover a vaccination clinic.

• Northeast District Well being Workplace, 6042 E. twenty first St.
  Mondays: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
  Tuesdays: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Eagledale Plaza Well being Workplace, 2802 Lafayette Highway
  Tuesdays: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Northwest District Well being Workplace, 6940 N. Michigan Highway
  Thursdays: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• South District Well being Workplace, 7551 S. Shelby St.
  Mondays: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
  Fridays: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• ACTION Well being Middle, 2868 N. Pennsylvania St.
  Wednesdays: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
• Martindale-Brightwood Public Library Department, 2435 N. Sherman Drive (ages 12-over solely)
  Tuesday by means of Friday: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• School Avenue Public Library Department, 4180 N. School Ave. (ages 12-over solely)
  Tuesday by means of Friday: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• East thirty eighth Road Public Library Department, 5420 E. thirty eighth St.  (ages 12-over solely)
  Tuesday by means of Friday: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• IndyGo Carson Transit Middle, 201 E. Washington St.  (ages 12-over solely)
  Tuesdays: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  Wednesdays: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  Thursdays: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.