INDIANAPOLIS — Here are Friday'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.
Marion County vaccine tour, sweepstakes starts Saturday
The Marion County Public Health Department is going on tour to offer incentives to get residents vaccinated against COVID-19. Beginning Saturday, June 19, the county will host various pop-up clinics to meet residents where they are. Find the full schedule here.
The clinics will run through July 2. Any resident who gets vaccinated at one of the county's clinics or pop-up locations will get the chance to win prizes:
- A package of two Indianapolis Colts Season tickets with a signed Peyton Manning rookie jersey
- Two half-season Indiana Pacers ticket packages, each also including a signed Domantas Sabonis 2020 All Star jersey
- Indianapolis Indians clubhouse tickets and a jersey
- Tickets to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
- A gift basket from the Indianapolis Zoo that includes a free membership
- Fun cards for pool admission at Indy Parks
There will be daily drawings for smaller prizes, while the winners of the larger items will be randomly selected after July 2. For more information about the sweepstakes, visit marionhealth.org/vaccinateindy.
JCPL to host COVID-19 vaccine clinics
The Johnson County Public Library is hoping a series of clinics will help as the number of people getting vaccinated against COVID-19 begins to plateau.
The clinics will he held at the following locations, days and times:
Trafalgar Library Branch
- June 23, 2021: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- July 14, 2021: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Aug. 6, 2021: 3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
White River Library Branch
- July 13, 2021: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Aug. 3, 2021: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Franklin Library Branch
- July 1, 2021: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- July 22, 2021: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
The Pfizer vaccine will be given at all of the clinics and Spanish translators will be available.
If a person does not have transportation, Access Johnson County’s Demand Response service offers curb-to-curb service between their home and the clinic and back. The cost is as little as $4 each way. If a person can’t afford the fare Access will waive the fare. To schedule a ride, call 317-738-5523.
ISDH update
The Indiana State Department of Health reported 10,646 people are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as of Friday morning. That brings the total number of Hoosiers fully vaccinated to 2,725,903.
ISDH also reported 218 new positive tests for the virus, along with two additional deaths that occurred June 15 and June 17. Indiana has lost 13,346 people to COVID-19.
The new cases bring Indiana's total to 750,702 residents now known to have had the novel coronavirus.
CDC expects delta variant to be dominant in US
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Rochelle Walensky says she expects the delta variant will become the dominant coronavirus strain in the United States. The delta variant, first detected in India, has become dominant in Britain.
“As worrisome as this delta strain is with regard to its hyper transmissibility, our vaccines work,” Walensky told ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Friday. She encouraged Americans to get vaccinated and “you’ll be protected against this delta variant.”
The spread of the delta variant of the coronavirus will pose a serious risk this summer to people who are not fully vaccinated, according to Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University’s School of Public Health.
The delta variant is highly contagious and more deadly, and may be more resistant to vaccines, he said.
“If you have not gotten vaccinated, this is a potentially very dangerous time because the delta variant is spreading,” Jha said Tuesday in the latest edition of the “COVID: What Comes Next” podcast hosted by The Providence Journal. “It’s about 6% of infections in the United States right now, doubling every two weeks. If you do the math, in about four to six weeks we’ll start getting close to half. … By mid-August, it’ll be the dominant variant in the United States.”
He added that vaccination is still the best defense.
Sign-ups growing for Kentucky prizes tied to COVID shots
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear says the number of Kentuckians vying for lucrative prizes tied to getting the COVID-19 vaccine continues to grow. Beshear said Thursday, more than 414,000 Kentucky adults have entered drawings for $1 million prizes.
Another 23,000 youngsters are entered for college scholarships. Three Kentucky adults will win $1 million prizes, and 15 students ages 12 to 17 will be awarded full-ride scholarships to a Kentucky public university, college, technical or trade school.
The offer is available to Kentucky residents already vaccinated and those who get the vaccine before the drawings. Drawings will be July 1, July 29 and Aug. 26.
Latest US, world numbers
There have been more than 33.5 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States as of 4 a.m. ET Friday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 600,900 deaths in the U.S.
Worldwide, there have been more than 177.4 million confirmed coronavirus cases with more than 3.84 million deaths. More than 2.48 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.
Vaccination clinics this week around central Indiana
June 18-19 (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.):
Wayne County:
Ivy Tech, Richmond
2357 Chester Blvd.
Richmond, IN 47374
June 18-19 (4 to 9 p.m.):
Jennings County:
Jennings County Fair
4920 N. S.R. 3,
North Vernon, IN 47265
June 19 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Marion County:
Avondale Meadows YMCA
3908 Meadows Dr.
Indianapolis, IN 46205
June 20 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Marion County:
New Direction Church
5330 E. 38th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46205
Eskenazi Health to host vaccine clinics on Indy's east side
Eskenazi Health will be hosting two free COVID-19 vaccination events on Indianapolis’ east side. The events are for walk-ins with no appointment needed and will offer the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Eskenazi Health will provide free vaccinations on Saturday, June 19, at the Avondale Meadows YMCA, at 3908 Meadows Drive, while on Sunday, June 20, free vaccinations will be administered at New Direction Church, at 5330 E. 38th St.
Both events are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The vaccines are for anyone 18 and older. Eskenazi Health Center staff will be administering the vaccines.
Carmel Christkindlmarkt will return this year
The Carmel Christkindlmarkt will open again in 2021 after closing because of the pandemic last year.
“We hated to have to close last year, but the safety of our residents and visitors was our top priority. We are thrilled that this incredible attraction, that visitors from all over the Midwest have enjoyed by the tens of thousands, is back and will be live this coming holiday season,” said Mayor Jim Brainard.
This year’s market will feature food and gift vendors, activities and special guests throughout the season.
Opening day is set for Nov. 20, and the Market will be open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 9 p.m., and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 9 p.m. You can find the schedule here.
Public skating at the Ice at Carter Green will also begin Nov. 20. The ice rink and skate rentals will be open from 4 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays and 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. You can find more information on it here.
To volunteer at Carmel Christkindlmarkt, click here.
CDC lowers warning for cruises, recommends only fully vaccinated travel
As cruise lines get ready to resume trips from the U.S. this summer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has lowered its travel alert for cruises.
The CDC's updates, first posted on Wednesday, brought its warning down from level 4 to level 3, and recommends only fully vaccinated people go on cruises for the time being.
The federal agency also said cruise line passengers should get tested for coronavirus 1 to 3 days before their trip and 3 to 5 days after the sailing ends.
As part of the CDC's updated guidance, passengers who aren't fully vaccinated should self-quarantine for 7 days after going on a cruise, even if they test negative. If they do not get tested, they should self-quarantine for 10 days after cruise travel.
"Since the virus spreads more easily between people in close quarters aboard ships, the chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is high," the CDC stated on its website. "It is especially important that people who are not fully vaccinated with an increased risk of severe illness avoid travel on cruise ships, including river cruises."