INDIANAPOLIS — Monday's latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic, including the latest news on COVID-19 vaccinations and testing in Indiana. Registrations for the vaccine are now open for select groups through Indiana State Department of Health. This story will be updated over the course of the day with more news on the COVID-19 pandemic.
US awards $231M contract for at-home coronavirus tests
White House coronavirus adviser Andy Slavitt says the government awarded a $231 million contract to scale up production of a COVID-19 home test recently authorized by U.S. regulators.
Ellume said Monday it would use the contract to construct a U.S. manufacturing plant and deliver 8.5 million tests for federal use. It did not specify a timeframe for delivery.
The test kit from Australian manufacturer Ellume allows users to swab themselves at home and check their status in about 20 minutes. It’s one of only three tests that consumers can use themselves, and the only one available without a doctor’s prescription.
Indianapolis City-County Council approves rental assistance, PPP loan appropriations
The City-County Council has approved allocating more COVID-19 relief funds for rental assistance, paycheck protection loans and other needs.
“This funding will extend vital assistance to Indianapolis renters, small business owners, workers, and residents throughout our city,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “As the economic effects of the pandemic will stretch long past 2021, these programs will help our neighborhoods recover in the short run and thrive in the long run.”
Council also appropriated some $10 million for the local Paycheck Protection Program, a fund currently managed by Indy Chamber. Loans to more than 180 businesses have already been approved.
The funds come from federal programs passed by Congress last month.
Council members also gave approval to a $3.7 million appropriation of Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance (FEMA PA) for “pandemic-related expenses incurred, including overtime, PPE, cleaning services and more.”
More than 100,000 sign up Monday
The Indiana State Department of Health said more than 100,000 Hoosiers registered for vaccination appointments on Monday.
The state announced Monday morning that residents at least 65 years of age are now eligible to be vaccinated. By 5 p.m., 96,000 Hoosiers age 65 to 69 had signed up, the health department said.
Another 7,000 eligible Hoosiers also registered for an appointment Monday, bringing the day's total to 103,000 patients.
ISDH update
The Indiana State Department of Health is reporting 1,733 new cases for a total of 628,391 confirmed coronavirus cases since the pandemic began.
There were also 16 additional deaths from COVID-19, which brings the state death toll to 9,613.
Vaccine available to 65 and older
The Indiana State Department of Health is now opening COVID-19 vaccinations to those 65 and older.
The vaccine is available at no cost, and appointments can be made by clicking here. Hoosiers who do not have access to a computer or cell phone or who need assistance with registration can call 211 or contact one of Indiana’s Area Agencies on Aging for assistance. A caregiver or loved one can make an appointment on behalf of an eligible senior.
The vaccine requires two doses and the appointment for the second dose will be made at the clinic when the first dose is administered.
Hoosiers age 60 and older comprise 22.5 percent of the population but account for 64.1 percent of hospitalizations and 93.3 percent of COVID-19 deaths. Additional groups will be added as more vaccine becomes available.
Eli Lilly opening antibody infusion centers
Eli Lilly is partnering with local health systems around the state to provide infusion centers for antibody therapies to treat COVID-19.
“Throughout the implementation of our COVID-19 antibody clinical development program, we have identified multiple approaches to address many of the challenges this virus has presented, including complexities experienced with intravenous administration during the pandemic,” said Rob Metcalf, senior vice president, Clinical Development, Lilly.
These infusion centers have helped deliver antibody therapy to more than 1,700 Hoosiers with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms and who are at high risk.
Patients should contact their physician to see if a COVID-19 antibody treatment is right for them. To learn more about the COVID-19 antibody infusion site locations across Indiana, click here.
Latest US, world numbers
There have been more than 26.18 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States as of 12:30 a.m. ET Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 441,000 deaths in the U.S.
Worldwide, there have been more than 102.95 million confirmed cases with more than 2.22 million deaths and 57.03 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 like pneumonia, or death.
CDC: Travelers required to wear masks on all public transportation
The CDC now says that by Feb. 1 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, all passengers on public transportation will be required to wear a mask.
The pending order from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was announced late Friday as the country startlingly finished its deadliest month of the pandemic so far.
The order covers all forms of public transportation including boats, airplanes, taxis, ride sharing vehicle services, busses and subways. Passengers will be required to wear masks while waiting, boarding, traveling and disembarking, the order said.
Passengers must have both their nose and mouth covered with a mask. Cloth masks should have two or more layers of a breathable, tightly woven fabric. The CDC asks that masks be secured to the head with ties, ear loops or elastic bands that go behind the ears.
If wearing a gaiter, they should have two layers of fabric or be folded in two. Masks can be manufactured or homemade, reusable or disposable, the CDC says.
For more on the CDC's guidance on proper and effective masks, visit the agency's website to see the order.
Hamilton County moving COVID-19 vaccine clinic to larger building
The Hamilton County Health Department is moving the COVID-19 vaccine clinic to a larger building on Monday, Feb. 1. The clinic was previously at the Annex Building at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Noblesville. The new clinic will take registered patients at the Exhibition Hall.
Hamilton County receives about 800 doses of COVID-19 vaccine per week. That amount is expected to double by mid-February. The clinic being moved to the Exhibition Hall will allow up to 3,600 doses per week.
Shots are given at the 4-H Fairgrounds from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Currently healthcare providers, first responders and anyone over the age of 70 can register for an appointment at www.ourshot.in.gov. Individuals can also call 211, AARP, or their local library for help registering.