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Latest Indiana coronavirus updates for Sunday, November 22, 2020

Sunday's latest Indiana updates in the coronavirus pandemic.

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

Drumstick Dash decides to go all-virtual for Thanksgiving fundraiser

The Drumstick Dash, which typically draws thousands of runners to Broad Ripple for the fundraiser benefitting Wheeler Mission, announced it has made the decision to switch to an all-virtual event. 

That means you can chart your own 4.6 or 2.75 mile course Thanksgiving morning.

In a statement, leaders said: "While we know this may come as a disappointment for many, erring on the side of extreme caution is the right thing to do. The health and safety of our neighbors and loved ones must come first."

Registration for the virtual event continues through Wednesday.

State reports 6,255 new cases, 48 additional deaths

The Indiana State Department of Health reported 48 additional deaths from COVID-19 Sunday, bringing the state's total confirmed deaths to above 5,000 at 5,040. The latest recorded deaths occurred between Oct. 29 and Saturday.

The state was already above the 5,000 mark if presumed deaths were counted, which include Hoosiers who died with COVID-19 symptoms but had no confirmed positive test result.

ISDH reported 6,255 new positive cases, bringing the state's total since March to 295,357.

To date, 2,072,690 unique individuals have been tested in Indiana, up from 2,053,143 on Saturday. A total of 3,897,545 tests, including repeat tests for unique individuals, have been reported to the state Department of Health since Feb. 26.

Official: Vaccinations could start Dec. 12

The head of the U.S. effort to produce a coronavirus vaccine says the first immunizations could happen on Dec. 12.

A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee is set to meet Dec. 10 to discuss Pfizer Inc.’s request for an emergency use authorization for its developing COVID-19 vaccine.

Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech recently announced that the vaccine appears 95% effective at preventing mild to severe COVID-19 disease in a large, ongoing study.

Dr. Moncef Slaoui, head of the Operation Warp Speed, the coronavirus vaccine program, says plans are to ship vaccines to states within 24 hours of expected FDA approval.

Slaoui told CNN he expects vaccinations would begin on the second day after approval, Dec. 12.

Indiana hospitals treat over 3K virus patients for 4th day

The Indiana State Department of Health reported Saturday that Indiana's hospitals were treating 3,168 COVID-19 patients as of Friday. That’s the largest number of COVID-19 patients since the state began releasing public reports on coronavirus hospitalizations last spring, and marks the fourth straight day of more than 3,000 patients treated in Indiana facilities.

Another 6,983 Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19, boosting the number of Hoosiers with known coronavirus infections over 289,000.

Pandemic dampens Indiana monastery's 150th year celebrations

A southern Indiana monastery is celebrating the 150th anniversary of its elevation to abbey status without crowds after the coronavirus pandemic spurred the cancelation of numerous events marking the milestone. 

The St. Meinrad Archabbey became a Roman Catholic monastery abbey in 1870. Monks and staff at the abbey had planned to share the landmark's historic buildings and grounds with visitors this year during various 150th anniversary celebrations. 

But The Herald of Jasper reports the pandemic canceled or put on hold most of those events. Saint Meinrad Archabbey spokeswoman Mary Jeanne Schumacher says the canceled plans “made sense considering the situation we’re all in.”

Latest US, world numbers

There have been more than 12.08 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. as of 6 a.m. ET Sunday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 255.9 thousand deaths and 4.52 million people recovered.

Worldwide, there have been more than 58.2 million confirmed cases with more than 1.38 million deaths and 37.2 million recoveries.

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

RELATED: VERIFY: Are Indiana’s new COVID-19 case numbers inflated with multiple positive tests for the same person?

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.

FDA allows emergency use of antibody drug Trump received

U.S. health officials have allowed emergency use of a second antibody drug to help the immune system fight COVID-19. It's an experimental medicine that President Donald Trump was given when he was sickened last month. 

The Food and Drug Administration on Saturday authorized use of the Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. drug for people with mild-to-moderate symptoms. Tests of the drug are continuing, but early results suggest it may prevent hospitalization and emergency room visits. 

Use is allowed for adults and children 12 and over who are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 because of age or certain other medical conditions.

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