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Indiana coronavirus updates for Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021

Tuesday's latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic for Nov. 30, 2021.

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.

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WHO advises high-risk adults should postpone travel over omicron spread

The World Health Organization says that older adults and those who are at risk of developing severe COVID-19 should avoid traveling for the time being amid the spread of a new coronavirus variant.

As part of updated travel guidance issued Tuesday, the WHO also pushed back on the idea of “blanket travel bans," while acknowledging that countries could order quarantines and take screening measures like testing travelers before or after arrival, or both.

The organization previously recommended that unvaccinated individuals in high-risk groups postpone travel to areas with widespread COVID-19 transmission.

The new guidance comes as dozens of countries have barred flights from southern African countries where the omicron variant was brought to international attention last week. WHO says the move unfairly punishes Botswana and South Africa for doing the right thing and being transparent about the emergence of a new variant.

Indiana doctors, nurses urge Hoosiers to get vaccinated

The Indiana Hospital Association, Indiana State Medical Association and Indiana State Nurses Association released a joint statement Tuesday urging Hoosiers to get their shots this holiday season to relieve pressure on the health care system and ensure safe gatherings.

In the statement, the organizations pointed to increasing COVID-19 hospitalizations that are approaching 75% of the peak of the pandemic. The majority of these patients are unvaccinated and the organizations say more critically ill patients are coming in with more complex conditions causing them to stay longer, adding further pressure to an already overwhelmed healthcare system. 

"Should the current trends continue, everyone in need of health care could be impacted," the statement said. "We urge all Hoosiers who have not yet received a vaccine or who are eligible to get a booster to do so before winter arrives to ensure a hospital bed is available for all in need."

ISDH daily update

The state reports 5,006 more Hoosiers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. A total of 3,435,625 Hoosiers are fully vaccinated. 

There were 15,464 new booster shots reported in the last, bringing the total of adults having received booster shots to 805,625.

As of 5 a.m. Tuesday, just over 2% of fully vaccinated individuals had experienced breakthrough cases. Less than .05% of fully vaccinated Hoosiers had been hospitalized or died from breakthrough cases.

ISDH also reported 4,080 new positive cases of the virus and 117 more deaths. The state has had a total of 1,101,185 cases and 16,970 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Children's Museum hosting vaccine clinic for kids & adults

Riley Children's Health is partnering with the Children's Museum to put on a vaccine clinic Thursday, Dec. 2. The clinic will offer COVID-19 vaccines for children and adults, booster shots and flu shots. All vaccinations are free and will not require museum admission to access the clinic.

The clinic will be 4-8 p.m.

Hamilton County Health Department to hold virtual town hall Tuesday

The Hamilton County Health Department will host a virtual town hall Tuesday, Nov. 30 to answer questions parents may have about getting their kids vaccinated against COVID-19.

Three local pediatricians will lead the discussion.

They will also share insight about the difference between the kids' and adult doses of the Pfizer vaccine, potential side effects and efficacy of the shot versus natural immunity.

The town hall begins at 6:30 p.m. You can join it by clicking here.

Latest US, world numbers

There have been more than 48.43 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 778,600 deaths recorded in the U.S.

Worldwide, there have been more than 262.2 million confirmed coronavirus cases with more than 5.20 million deaths and more than 7.95 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 COVID-19 surge continued over Thanksgiving weekend

The number of COVID-19 patients in Indiana hospitals continued its sharp spike over the Thanksgiving weekend. The state health department reports Indiana hospitals had about 2,000 COVID-19 patients as of Sunday, an increase of 170, or 9%, from Tuesday. Indiana has seen a 66% increase in hospitalizations over the past three weeks. 

The Republican-dominated state Legislature had been scheduled to meet Monday for votes on a proposal that included administrative actions, which Gov. Eric Holcomb had said would enable him to end the state's public health emergency. But those votes were called off following objections from medical and business groups over provisions forcing broad exemptions from workplace vaccination requirements.

Federal judge's ruling halts vaccine mandate for health care workers in 10 states

A federal judge on Monday blocked President Joe Biden’s administration from enforcing a coronavirus vaccine mandate on thousands of health care workers in 10 states that had brought the first legal challenge against the requirement.

The court order said that the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid had no clear authority from Congress to enact the vaccine mandate for providers participating in the two government health care programs for the elderly, disabled and poor.

The preliminary injunction by St. Louis-based U.S. District Judge Matthew Schelp applies to a coalition of suing states that includes Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. Similar lawsuits also are pending in other states.

Reports: Pfizer to seek COVID vaccine booster authorization for ages 16-17

Pfizer is expected to ask U.S. regulators this week for authorization to let 16- and 17-year-olds get its COVID-19 vaccine booster, according to The Washington Post and New York Times. The Post, citing sources, said authorization was expected to come quickly and the Times said Food and Drug Administration authorization could come within about a week.

Boosters for all adults were authorized on Nov. 19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday went a step further and recommended all adults get them. It was previously recommended for those 50 years and older or if they live in a long-term care setting.

CDC Director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky said the new guidance reflects the emergence of the omicron variant, which has not yet been identified in the U.S. but that officials say will inevitably reach the country.

 

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