Indiana officials report 16 additional coronavirus deaths
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana entered Stage 4 of Gov. Eric Holcomb's reopening plan Friday, allowing additional businesses to reopen and fill at higher capacities.
But as the coronavirus pandemic carries on, Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box still has reservations.
'œJust because you're not positive today, doesn't mean you won't be tomorrow,'ť Box said during a press briefing Friday afternoon.
With the reopening of casinos and other enclosed spaces, she added, there's an ongoing necessity to practice social distancing and make 'œcontinued'ť efforts to clean and sanitize public spaces.
'œI think it's all about keeping the number of people down .... wearing masks, social distancing, cleaning the machines over and over again, repeatedly washing your hands," Box said.
Stage 4 of the reopening plan means restaurants can open to 75% capacity. Bars, movie theaters, bowling alleys and other entertainment venues can welcome customers back at 50% capacity. Zoos, museums and similar sites can reopen, and gatherings of up to 250 people are allowed as long as attendees stay six feet apart.
Unlike other parts of the state, Marion County won't enter its next reopening stage until June 19, however, due to higher case numbers of the virus.
Beginning Monday, OptumServe testing sites will also be open to anyone who lives in Indiana, Box said, regardless of whether they are high-risk or symptomatic.
Health officials said Friday that 16 more people have died in Indiana with coronavirus infections. Most of the newly recorded deaths happened Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, but others happened as far back as May 9, according to the Indiana State Department of Health.
The latest state statistics give the state a death toll of 2,214 people who died with confirmed COVID-19 infections. The heath department also has recorded 182 fatalities considered coronavirus-related by doctors but without confirmation of the illness from test results.
Indiana hospitals had 330 COVID-19 patients in their intensive care units on Thursday, with 38% the state's ICU beds available.