INDIANAPOLIS — Monday's latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic.
US coronavirus cases surpass 6 million
The United States has now surpassed six million coronavirus cases, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
The global cases topped 25 million on Sunday, with the U.S. leading the count, followed by Brazil with 3.8 million and India with 3.5 million.
Data from Johns Hopkins University shows there have been more than 183,000 COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. and nearly 850,000 globally.
ISDH daily update
The Indiana State Department of Health is reporting 897 more cases of COVID-19 and five more deaths from the virus. That makes a total of 94,196 positive cases and 3,077 total deaths in the state.
From Aug. 17-24, 6.9 percent of Hoosiers tested received a positive result. That's compared to the overall rate of 8.7 percent since the pandemic started.
On Sunday, there were 883 coronavirus patients in hospitals in the state.
Duke Energy providing $300K of energy assistance to customers
Duke Energy is giving customers struggling to pay utility bills during the pandemic $300,000 of energy assistance. The company is offering payment plans for eligible customers to avoid shutoffs. Payment plans can extend up to 12 months.
Duke Energy is working with the Indiana Community Action Association and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s Energy Assistance Program to determine customers' eligibility and disburse funds.
Duke Energy vowed to suspend disconnections due to nonpayment until Sept. 15. Customers still struggling to pay their bills should call 800-521-2232 or visit the website to make payment plan arrangements.
14 Greek houses at IU under quarantine
According to the Student Affairs website at Indiana University in Bloomington, the list of fraternities and sororities that are quarantined due to COVID-19 test results has grown from eight on Friday to 14 this morning.
Chapters Directed to Quarantine
- Alpha Delta Pi
- Alpha Sigma Phi
- Alpha Xi Delta
- Beta Theta Pi
- Delta Gamma
- Kappa Kappa Gamma
- Phi Gamma Delta
- Phi Kappa Psi
- Pi Beta Phi
- Pi Kappa Phi
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon
- Sigma Chi
- Theta Chi
- Zeta Tau Alpha
The university directed some 2,600 students who are a part of communal living houses, comprised of mostly Greek houses, but also the Christian Student Fellowship and Evans Scholars, to suspend in-person activities. As of now, only the fraternities and sororities listed above are on quarantine.
The quarantine notice from the Monroe County Health Department means that all members under quarantine must stay in their houses for 14 days. The IU Bloomington Division of Student Affairs has issued a directive reinforcing this notice. The university’s COVID-19 mitigation testing has detected an alarming increase of positive tests within some communal living houses at IU Bloomington.
The quarantine directive is in effect through at least Monday, Sept. 14.
No IU residence halls are included in these measures, according to the latest release from the school.
Latest US, world numbers
There have been more than 5.99 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. as of 1:30 a.m. ET Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 183,000 deaths and nearly 2.15 million people recovered.
Worldwide, there have been 25.22 million confirmed cases with more than nearly 846,000 deaths and 16.61 million recoveries.
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, including pneumonia and death.
Does a face mask protect me, or just the people around me?
Does a face mask protect me, or just the people around me?
It likely provides protection for both.
Studies on the new coronavirus and other germs show wearing a mask helps stop infected people from spreading disease to others. Evidence also suggests that masks may offer some protection for the people wearing them.
The virus spreads from droplets people spray when they cough, sneeze or talk. Surgical or cloth face masks can block most of those particles from spreading.
While some droplets may still spread out, wearing a mask could reduce the amount, providing a benefit to others. Research shows people don’t get as sick when exposed to smaller amounts of virus, said Dr. Monica Gandhi, a virus expert at University of California, San Francisco.
And masks may protect the people wearing them by reducing the amount of droplets from others that might make contact with them.
Experts say masks are particularly important with the new coronavirus because infected people can be contagious even if they don’t have symptoms.
14 Greek houses at IU on quarantine
According to the Student Affairs website at Indiana University in Bloomington, the list of fraternities and sororities that are quarantined due to COVID-19 test results has grown from eight on Friday to 14 this morning.
Chapters Directed to Quarantine
- Alpha Delta Pi
- Alpha Sigma Phi
- Alpha Xi Delta
- Beta Theta Pi
- Delta Gamma
- Kappa Kappa Gamma
- Phi Gamma Delta
- Phi Kappa Psi
- Pi Beta Phi
- Pi Kappa Phi
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon
- Sigma Chi
- Theta Chi
- Zeta Tau Alpha