INDIANAPOLIS — Wednesday's latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic:
Eli Lilly announces additional doses of antibody to treat COVID-19
Eli Lilly and Company announced Wednesday that the U.S. government purchased an additional 650,000 doses of the company's neutralizing antibody bamlanivimab (LY-CoV555) to treat COVID-19.
"Bamlanivimab recently received emergency use authorization for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in patients who are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization," according to Eli Lilly.
The additional doses bring the total to 950,000 doses purchased by the U.S. government.
South side drive-thru testing site moved to new location
The Marion County Health Department says one of three drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites is moving to an indoor location.
Starting on Thursday, Dec. 3, drive-thru testing on the south side will be offered weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Marion County Fairgrounds, 7300 E. Troy Ave., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entrance is through Gate 4.
An appointment is required for testing. This location replaces the testing site that was previously at the health department’s South District Health Office.
MCPHD will eventually move all COVID-19 drive-thru testing to an indoor or covered location to protect workers and those seeking testing from winter weather conditions.
To register and receive an appointment time for free COVID-19 testing through the Marion County Public Health Department, please visit MarionHealth.org/indycovid. Residents who do not have Internet access, or need help completing the online registration, should call 317-221-5515.
State update on response and vaccine
Gov. Eric Holcomb and state leaders provided an update on the COVID-19 response and vaccine.
The state noted that all but one county is in orange or red. Hospital admissions for COVID patients are now in the hundreds every day. More than 400 were reported on just Nov. 27.
The state said as cases increase, the time it is taking to get test results is taking longer. The state is looking at finding additional labs to help with testing.
Contract tracers are using shorter scripts so they will be able to make more calls each day as a way of handling the increased cases. Cases are being prioritized for those testing positive in the past 6 days. The state is asking people who tested positive to try and contact anyone they can remember being in contact with recently.
Vaccine update
The state is preparing to receive a limited supply of vaccine and expects that by mid-December.
The state believes from information received so far, that it will have enough vaccine for frontline health care workers and long-term care residents by the end of December.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box said while she encourages everyone to be vaccinated, if a woman that is pregnant is concerned, they should look to those around them to get vaccinated.
ISDH update
The Indiana State Department of Health is reporting 6,655 new COVID-19 cases as Indiana goes over 350,000 total positive cases. The 7-day positivity rate among unique individuals is now at 22.2 percent.
There were also 91 more deaths bringing the death toll in Indiana to 5,688 since the pandemic began.
Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show postponed
The Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show along with the Indiana Motorcycle & Powersports Expo and the 2021 Indiana Deer, Turkey & Waterfowl Expo have all been postponed.
Organizers said restrictions put in place by the state of Indiana made it "clear our show would not be able to perform and meet the exceedingly high standards we set for each Renfro Production."
Organizers said the events will return in 2022. The Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show and the Indiana Motorcycle & Powersport Expo, will arrive at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on Feb. 18, 2022, and the Indiana Deer, Turkey, & Waterfowl Expo will arrive on Feb. 24, 2022.
Renfro Productions said it will be coming out with a special e-Reader edition of the Show Program, in support of the exhibitors.
HSE Board votes to keep students virtual
On Wednesday, the HSE Board of School Trustees voted to keep all students, Pre-K through 12, at 100 percent virtual instruction through Jan. 15, 2021.
“Based on the fact that our community COVID-related numbers from the Fishers Health Department are not decreasing, and we continue to experience a substantial number of teacher and students absences, I believe it is better to remain status quo than go back-and-forth between learning models,” said Superintendent Dr. Allen Bourff.
The board will next decide on virtual instruction on Jan. 13, 2021.
The district said the goal is to get students, especially the younger students, back to in-person learning as soon as possible.
The district is also looking at bringing on more than 100 substitutes in the coming weeks. If you’re interested in becoming a substitute, click here for more information.
UK authorizes Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for emergency use
Drugmakers Pfizer and BioNTech say they've won permission for emergency use of their COVID-19 vaccine in Britain. That is the world's first coronavirus shot to be approved that's backed by rigorous science — and a major step toward eventually ending the pandemic.
The move Wednesday makes Britain one of the first countries to begin vaccinating its population as it tries to curb Europe's deadliest COVID-19 outbreak. Other countries aren't far behind: The United States and the European Union also are vetting the Pfizer shot along with a similar vaccine made by competitor Moderna Inc.
British regulators also are considering another shot made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University. Pfizer said it would immediately begin shipping limited supplies to the U.K.
Latest US, world numbers
There have been more than 13.72 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. as of 3:30 a.m. ET Wednesday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 270,000 deaths and 5.22 million people recovered.
Worldwide, there have been more than 63.93 million confirmed cases with more than 1.48 million deaths and 41 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.