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Indiana coronavirus updates for Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020

Wednesday's latest on the coronavirus pandemic.

INDIANAPOLIS — Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic for Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020.

Indiana COVID-19 response update

State leaders are providing an update on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It comes as the state reported 2,587 new cases and 33 more deaths Wednesday.

The 7-day positivity rate is now at 7.1 percent and the hospitalizations are the highest the state has seen since the start of the pandemic.

With the surge in cases, the Indiana National Guard will be deploying to hundreds of long-term care centers beginning Monday, Nov. 2 to help with testing and collecting data. The state will also provide 2 million N95 masks and other PPE to the facilities. Infection control training will be done with all long-term care employees.

In a response to the surge, the state is looking to hire more contact tracers.

Vaccine coming to Indiana

The state said it was told by the federal government that it should expect the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine by late November and a second shipment by mid-December. 

The first shipment the state expects to receive is the Pfizer vaccine in development, which is a two dose vaccine. It requires special cold storage, so the state is looking at possible storage sites. Hospitals are already stepping up to help with vaccinations, including for their employees, first responders, EMS and long-term care staff.

The vaccine expected in mid-December would be the Moderna vaccine.

The state said it will be monitoring the studies and who the vaccines work best on when looking at distribution.

The timeline for the vaccines could change and the state said it will take months before a vaccine is available to everyone.

State health leaders said it is important, especially with the surge in cases, that people continue wearing masks along with social distancing and other safety steps.

Boston Marathon postponed

The 125th Boston Marathon has been postponed due to the pandemic. 

Organizers say that it won’t hold the race as scheduled in April because of the COVID-19 pandemic and will be put off “at least until the fall of 2021.”

The Boston Athletic Association says they have been meeting regularly with its COVID-19 Medical & Event Operations Advisory Group to determine when—and how—the marathon can be held again.  

Fishers Parks cancels Boo Bash due to COVID-19

Fishers Parks announced they have decided to cancel Boo Bash this Saturday, Oct. 31 out of an abundance of caution and due to rising COVID-19 cases. 

Fishers Parks says to stay tuned for more information. 

Kroger to offer rapid antibody testing 

The Kroger Co. announced it will be the first U.S. retailer to offer rapid antibody testing to its customers across the country. 

The Ohio-based supermarket chain said the FDA-authorized tests will be available at all Kroger pharmacies and clinics by the end of November. 

The antibody tests, supplied by Whitmire Medical, involve a finger-prick blood sample to detect antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19. The tests cost $25 and typically provide results within 15 minutes that let a person know if they've previously been infected, the company said.  

Kroger has already been offering rapid antibody testing at its stores in California and Michigan.

ISDH COVID-19 update

The Indiana State Department of Health reports more than 2,500 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state. 

Thirty-three more Hoosiers have died from the virus, nearly 4,000 total deaths since the start of the pandemic. 

There are more than 169,000 Hoosiers who have tested positive for the virus. 

Indiana's 7-day positivity rate has increased to 7.1 percent. 

Governor candidates share thoughts on COVID-19 vaccine

The candidates for Indiana governor faced off Tuesday night for the second and final time before Election Day.

Incumbent Republican Eric Holcomb, who is running for his second term in the governor's office, Democratic challenger Dr. Woody Myers and Libertarian Donald Rainwater debated a wide range of topics.

One of the questions, which were submitted by Indiana voters, asked about a COVID-19 vaccine and if Hoosiers should be required to get one when it's available.

RELATED: See where confirmed Indiana coronavirus cases are with this interactive map

Children's Museum hosts virtual toy event

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is changing up how kids will choose the top toys this year.

"Kid-Tested, Kid-Approved" will be a virtual toy demonstration and voting event this year.

Children, with the help of their parents will be able to vote virtually from Nov. 2-8. They'll get to watch short video demonstrations of 20 fun, engaging and creative toys recommended for ages 6 months through 14 years old, selected by museum store experts. After viewing the videos, children will be asked to vote for their three favorites in no particular order.

On Nov. 9, the top 10 winners will be announced.

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Latest US, world numbers

There have been more than 8.77 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. as of 4 a.m. ET Wednesday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 226,700 deaths and 3.48 million people recovered.

Worldwide, there have been more than 43.97 million confirmed cases with more than 1.16 million deaths and 29.8 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.

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