INDIANAPOLIS — Thursday's latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic.
ISDH daily update
The state is reporting 764 more cases of COVID-19, and 13 more deaths. That is a total of 102,243 positive cases and 3,186 deaths.
The positivity rate of all tests from Aug. 28 to Sept. 3 was 5 percent, lower than the overall rate of 6.6 percent since the beginning of the pandemic. The positivity rate for unique individuals for that seven-day period is slightly higher — 7.2 percent — but still lower than rate since the pandemic began — 8.8 percent.
Total hospitalizations jumped over the last day. There were 833 Hoosiers in hospitals for COVID-19 Wednesday. That's compared to 763 Tuesday.
US layoffs remain high as 884,000 seek jobless aid
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits was unchanged last week at 884,000, a sign that layoffs are stuck at a historically high level six months after the viral pandemic flattened the economy.
The latest figure released by the Labor Department Thursday still far exceeds the number who sought benefits in any week on record before this year.
The job market is improving fitfully as portions of the economy have reopened and companies are recalling some workers they had temporarily laid off. Employers have so far added back about half the record 22 million jobs that were lost to the pandemic.
But hiring has slowed since June, and a rising number of laid-off workers say they regard their job loss as permanent. The recovery of those jobs will likely take longer to achieve. Jobless people typically find it harder to find work at a new company or in a new industry than to return to a previous employer.
The government also said Thursday that 13.4 million people are continuing to receive traditional jobless benefits, up from 13.3 million the previous week. The increase suggests that hiring isn't occurring quickly enough to offset still-widespread layoffs.
Kroger expanding flu shot program to help combat coronavirus concerns
Kroger is expanding its flu shot program during the global pandemic to combat COVID-19 concerns.
The program includes touchless in-store appointments and drive-thru vaccinations at community flu shot centers. All flu shot appointments can be booked online. Pre-visit paperwork can be completed online to reduce contact and promote physical distancing, and many insurance companies cover the flu shot with no co-pay.
Kroger will have two drive-thru flu shot centers at the Indianapolis Zoo Sept. 19 and 26 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
“With so many health facilities already overburdened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever for all Americans to get a flu shot,” said Greg Fox, R.Ph. and leader of health & wellness for Kroger Central Division, in a press release. “At our COVID-19 drive-thru test sites, we assisted thousands of people in getting tests in a short amount of time. By using that model to offer flu shots, we hope to provide more customers with a safe, convenient option to get vaccinated."
Latest US, world numbers
There have been more than 6.36 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. as of 3:30 a.m. ET Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 190,000 deaths and 2.38 million people recovered.
Worldwide, there have been 27.86 million confirmed cases with more than 903,000 deaths and 18.77 million recoveries.
The real number of people infected by the virus around the world is believed to be much higher — perhaps 10 times higher in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — given testing limitations and the many mild cases that have gone unreported or unrecognized.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
State will soon make COVID-19 cases in Indiana schools public
The Indiana State Department of Health will soon begin reporting the number of COVID-19 cases in schools.
On its COVID-19 data website, the state plans to publish the number of positive cases in individual schools, not just school districts, and also provide student demographics on a statewide level.
"We've heard it from parents, we've heard it from schools, and we've heard it from other stakeholders: all asking for the information to be public,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box. “The purpose is not to stigmatize a school or to penalize them. The purpose is not to mandate whether schools are hosting in-person classes or going virtual — because those decisions are made locally. Rather, the purpose is to help all of us make the best decisions possible as we navigate this pandemic."
Schools with fewer than five COVID-19 cases will not be listed to protect identities. School districts are not required to report their positive cases to the state, but Box calls it a strong request. The state is testing an electronic portal this week that allows schools to report data to their county health departments and the state in one place.