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Indiana coronavirus updates for Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020

Saturday's latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic.

INDIANAPOLIS — Saturday's latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic.

State reports 1,155 new cases, 11 additional deaths

The Indiana State Department of Health reported 1,155 new COVID-19 cases among Indiana residents Saturday, bringing the state's total of positive cases recorded to 116,549. 

Deaths among Hoosiers now total 3,351 with the 11 additional cases recorded between Sept 23 and Friday added to the state's database.

The state has recorded nearly 2 million tests since the pandemic began, with tests administered to more than 1.34 million unique individuals.

China pushes emergency use of COVID vaccine despite concerns

Hundreds of thousands of people have taken one of the four leading vaccine candidates in China. 

Popular journalist Kan Chai this month shared his experience of signing up for a vaccine from state-owned CNBG. It is happening outside the confines of clinical trials, raising questions of safety and ethics. 

The Chinese government has not made clear how these hundreds of thousands of people have had their health tracked, how they were informed and under what conditions they were taking the vaccine. 

Globally, China has the most number of vaccine candidates in advanced stage 3 clinical trials.

Indiana starts Stage 5 today

The state of Indiana moves to Stage 5 of its reopening plan today, with the following changes in effect through Oct. 17.

Stage 5 changes:

  • A mask mandate will continue.
  • Size limitations will be removed for gatherings and meetings. Organizers of events with more than 500 people will need to submit a written plan to the local health department.
  • Restaurants and bars that serve food can open at full capacity. Appropriate social distancing will need to be maintained. A bar section must have people seated.
  • Bars and nightclubs can open at full capacity. Customers must be seated, and social distancing is required.
  • Indoor and outdoor venues can open at full capacity.
  • Senior centers and congregate nutrition sites may reopen according to FSSA guidance.
  • Personal services, gyms, fitness centers and workout facilities may resume normal operations.
  • Nursing homes and assisted living facilities are required to provide visitation opportunities.

Marion County announced Friday that it would also ease some restrictions beginning Monday, Sept. 28.

RELATED: Marion County easing some restrictions beginning Monday, including capacity at restaurants, bars, gyms, churches

RELATED: Johnson County businesses prepare for stage 5 

Latest US, world numbers

There have been more than 7 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. as of 6 a.m. ET Saturday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 203,700 deaths and almost 2.73 million people recovered.

Worldwide, there have been 32.58 million confirmed cases with more than 989,300 deaths and 22.5 million recoveries.

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

RELATED: VERIFY: No, the CDC did not say the number of COVID-19 victims who actually died from the virus is much lower than originally reported

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.

MAC returns with 6-game football season starting Nov. 4

The Mid-American Conference, the first major college football league to postpone its season due to the pandemic, has become the final one to jump back in. 

University presidents in the Big Ten, Pac-12 and Mountain West have all reversed earlier decisions to go ahead and play this fall. 

MAC games will start Nov. 4 and the championship game will be played Dec. 18 or 19. 

"In August, we were clear that at Ball State we would continue to explore opportunities for our teams to compete and keep the guidance from medical experts top of mind as our teams prepared for athletic activity," said Ball State Director of Athletics Beth Goetz. "That guidance has led us to an opportunity for our football team to participate this Fall which we are thrilled about. I am grateful to our medical team, the Mid-American Conference medical advisory group, our student-athletes, coaches and staff for the diligent preparation. We will continue to create a safe environment for everyone involved. I can't wait to see the football team in action and all of our student-athletes back in uniform soon."

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