INDIANAPOLIS — Monday's latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic.
Johnson & Johnson's single-dose vaccine next to seek FDA authorization
Johnson & Johnson says it plans to seek emergency use authorization in February, which would make it the third vaccine to be considered by the FDA.
The shot was developed by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a Belgium based division of Johnson & Johnson. It would be the first COVID-19 vaccine that only requires one dose.
Johnson & Johnson’s adenovirus-based vaccine works differently than Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines, which use messenger RNA. Doctors say it produces an antigen, or protein, which causes an immune response to protect against the novel coronavirus. The same technology was used to develop the Ebola vaccine.
Experts say Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine could be a game-changer since it only requires one dose and does not require ultra-cold storage, like the Pfizer shots.
ISDH update
The state is reporting 3,630 new COVID-19 cases for a total of 529,688 confirmed cases in Indiana.
There were also an additional 39 deaths reported for a total of 8,150 since the start of the pandemic.
Greater Indianapolis Garage Sale and Marketplace moved to May
Due to the current surge in COVID-19 cases in the state of Indiana, the 45th Annual Greater Indianapolis Garage Sale & Marketplace that was originally scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 9 and Sunday, Jan 10 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds has been rescheduled to Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2, 2021.
The event will feature booths the Blue Ribbon Pavilion and Champions Pavilion featuring low-priced antiques, jewelry, clothing, furniture, electronics and other items.
UK first country to roll out Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine
Britain on Monday took another giant step in the fight against COVID-19, ramping up its immunization program by giving the first shots in the world from the vaccine created by Oxford University and pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca.
Dialysis patient Brian Pinker, 82, was the first to get the new vaccine shot, administered by the chief nurse at Oxford University Hospital. Pinker said he was so pleased and that he can “now really look forward to celebrating my 48th wedding anniversary with my wife Shirley later this year.”
Since Dec. 8, Britain's National Health Service has been using a vaccine made by Pfizer and the German firm BioNTech to inoculate health care workers and nursing home residents and staff.
The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine boosts that arsenal and is cheaper and easier to use since it does not require the super-cold storage needed by the Pfizer vaccine.
Some Marion County schools returning to in-person learning Monday
In November, the Marion County Public Health Department required all schools in the county to move to virtual learning by the end of the month due to the rise in COVID-19 cases.
According to the MCPHD, the 7-day average percentage of positive cases was 13.3 percent using data through Dec. 17, which is considered in the Red Level.
Schools are permitted to begin allowing in-person learning Monday, Jan. 4. Here is when each school district plans to return to in-person learning:
- Perry Township: Monday, Jan. 4
- Franklin Township: Tuesday, Jan. 5
- Beech Grove: Monday, Jan. 11
- Decatur Township: Monday, Jan. 11
- Speedway: Monday, Jan. 11
- Lawrence Township: Tuesday, Jan. 19
- IPS: Tuesday, Jan. 19
- Warren Township: Tuesday, Jan. 19
- Wayne Township: Wednesday, Jan. 20
- Pike: Not announced
- Washington Township: Not announced
Click here to read the MCPHD's public health order on the safety measures upon returning to schools.
Latest US, world numbers
There have been more than 20.63 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States. as of 1:30 a.m. ET Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 351,000 deaths in the U.S.
Worldwide, there have been more than 85.12 million confirmed cases with more than 1.84 million deaths and 47.86 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.
MCPHD testing sites open Monday
The Marion County Public Health Department has released information about its free drive-through COVID-19 testing sites for 2021.
All testing is by appointment only. Patients should register at MarionHealth.org/indycovid. Anyone who does not have internet access should call 317-221-5515 to make an appointment. Patients who need assistance completing registration should call 317-221-8967.
Here are the locations and times for the testing sites, effective Jan. 4, 2021:
- Main Location: 3838 North Rural St.
- Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Southside Location: 7300 East Troy Ave.
- Hours: Monday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Westside Location: 3685 Commercial Dr.
- Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday Location: 3820 North Keystone Ave.
- Hours: Every third Saturday 9 a.m. to noon
The sites are only for testing, not the vaccine. Information about the general public receiving the vaccine is expected to be released in late January or February.