INDIANAPOLIS — Here are 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 Hoosiers 12 and older through the Indiana State Department of Health. This story will be updated over the course of the day with more news on the COVID-19 pandemic.
State reports 20K more fully vaccinated, 69 additional deaths
The Indiana State Department of Health reported that another 20,249 Indiana residents have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Monday morning. The total number of Hoosiers now considered fully vaccinated is 3,214,764.
ISDH also reported Monday that 1,920 more Hoosiers have tested positive for COVID-19.
The state also updated the number of deaths from COVID-19 to of 14,684 residents since the pandemic began. That is an increase of 69 deaths from the virus since Friday’s numbers were shared.
Biden easing foreign travel restrictions, requiring vaccines
President Joe Biden will ease foreign travel restrictions into the U.S. beginning in November, when his administration will require all foreign nationals flying into the country to be fully vaccinated.
All foreign travelers flying to the U.S. will need to demonstrate proof of vaccination before boarding, as well as proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of flight, said White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients, who announced the new policy on Monday. Biden will also tighten testing rules for unvaccinated American citizens, who will need to be tested within a day before returning to the U.S., as well as after they arrive home.
Fully vaccinated passengers will not be required to quarantine, Zeints said.
Eskenazi, Indianapolis EMS, Marion County Public Health Department employees required to be vaccinated by Monday
All employees within the Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Monday, Sept. 20.
The HHC of Marion County includes those who work for the Marion County Public Health Department, Eskenazi Health, Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services and long-term care facilities.
The announcement to require COVID-19 vaccines for all employees in the HHC of Marion County, regardless of current role or work location, was made in July.
The HHC of Marion County has a process to request exemptions for health or religious reasons, similar to its flu vaccination program.
Latest US, world numbers
There have been more than 42.08 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States as of 2 a.m. Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 673,700 deaths recorded in the U.S.
Worldwide, there have been more than 228.5 million confirmed coronavirus cases with more than 4.69 million deaths. More than 5.9 billion vaccine doses have been administered worldwide.
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.
Center for the Performing Arts mask requirement begins Monday
Starting Monday, Sept. 20, masks or other appropriate facial coverings will be required for anyone age 3 or older attending an event at Carmel's Center for the Performing Arts. The exception is for eating or drinking.
The venue is also requiring proof of vaccination for those 12 and older to attend a performance at any of its events beginning Monday, Oct. 4. An alternative to vaccination, and a requirement for those ages 5-11, is proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR/molecular test within 72 hours of an event. This goes for shows in the Palladium, the Tarkington and the Studio Theater.
The new policy applies to performances including the Civic Theatre, Actors Theatre of Indiana, Carmel Symphony Orchestra, Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre and Indiana Wind Symphony.
Ticketholders who are unable or unwilling to meet the masking, vaccination or test requirements for entry are eligible until Oct. 15 to request refunds on any tickets purchased before noon Sept. 15.
US panel backs COVID-19 boosters only for elderly, high-risk
An influential federal advisory panel — from an influential committee of outside experts who advise the Food and Drug Administration — has soundly rejected a plan to offer Pfizer booster shots against COVID-19 to most Americans.
In a surprising turn, the advisory panel rejected, 16-2, boosters for almost everyone. Members cited a lack of safety data on extra doses and also raised doubts about the value of mass boosters, rather than ones targeted to specific groups.
Then, in an 18-0 vote, it endorsed extra shots for people 65 and older and those at risk of serious disease. Panel members also agreed that health workers and others who run a high risk of being exposed to the virus on the job should get boosters, too.
During several hours of vigorous debate Friday, members of the panel questioned the value of offering boosters to almost everybody 16 and over.
“I don’t think a booster dose is going to significantly contribute to controlling the pandemic,” said Dr. Cody Meissner of Tufts University. “And I think it’s important that the main message we transmit is that we’ve got to get everyone two doses.”
Dr. Amanda Cohn of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, "At this moment, it is clear that the unvaccinated are driving transmission in the United States.”