INDIANAPOLIS — Here are Tuesday'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 5 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.
ISDH update
The Indiana State Department of Health reported that another 4,630 Indiana residents were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Tuesday morning. The total number of Hoosiers now considered fully vaccinated is 3,471,891.
A total of 955,394 booster doses have now been administered to Indiana residents. More than 18,000 new booster doses were reported Tuesday.
Latest US, world numbers
There have been more than 49.27 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States as of 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 789,700 deaths recorded in the U.S.
Worldwide, there have been more than 266.50 million confirmed coronavirus cases with more than 5.26 million deaths and more than 8.22 billion vaccine doses 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.
Indiana's inpatient hospital beds filling at highest rate since pandemic began
We're taking a closer look at COVID-19 in Indiana and how it's putting hospitals in a dangerous spot.
Statewide, inpatient beds are filling up at a level higher than at any time during the pandemic, and beds for COVID-19 patients represent a big chunk.
Hospitalizations have doubled in just a month, further stressing a system that has been stressed for over a year.
The problem? New cases are surging. Indiana's positivity rate is at its highest since January. Hospitalizations have doubled in just a month.
And perhaps most worrisome: 70% percent of the state's staffed inpatient hospital beds are full — the highest it's been since the pandemic began.
And unlike last winter's spike, many health care systems have fewer workers because of burnout.
December schedule for testing, vaccine sites in Marion County
The Marion County Public Health Department announced last week the December schedule for its COVID-19 vaccine clinics and testing sites.
The clinics will offer vaccines for people 12 and up, pediatric doses for children 5-11 and booster shots for adults 18 and older who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months prior. Walk-ins are accepted, and appointments can be made at ourshot.in.gov or by calling 211.
Note: all sites will be closed Dec. 23-25, and Dec. 31.
- Indianapolis Public Library Martindale-Brightwood Branch, 2435 N. Sherman Dr. (Ages 12 and up only)
- Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursdays 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Fridays 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Indianapolis Public Library College Avenue Branch, 4180 N. College Ave. (Ages 12 and up only)
- Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursdays 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Fridays 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Northeast District Health Office, 6042 E. 21st St.
- Mondays 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 18 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Eagledale Plaza Health Office, 2802 Lafayette Road, Suite 13
- Tuesdays 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Northwest District Health Office, 6940 N. Michigan Road
- Thursdays 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 11 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- South District Health Office, 7551 S. Shelby St.
- Mondays 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 4 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- ACTION Health Center, 2868 N. Pennsylvania St. (Pfizer only)
- Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 11 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.