Indiana reports 81 more COVID-19 deaths, 7,344 more cases

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana health officials reported 7,344 new coronavirus infections and 81 additional COVID-19 deaths Thursday as the state continued to see expected increases in new cases and coronavirus-related hospitalizations following a holiday lull.

The newly confirmed deaths - most of which occurred over the last several days, but some dating as far back as October - raised Indiana's toll to 8,823, including both confirmed and presumed infections, the Indiana State Department of Health said.

The number of Indiana residents known to have had the coronavirus is now up to 546,499.

The state agency also reported that 2,812 Hoosiers were hospitalized with COVID-19 on Wednesday. Of those being treated, 593 were in intensive care, the state agency's daily statistic update said.

As the state continues its efforts to inoculate health care personnel and residents of long-term care facilities, coronavirus vaccinations will also become available to Indiana residents 80 and older starting Friday, state health officials announced Wednesday.

In the coming weeks, the plan is to further expand availability of the shots to those 70 and older and then 60 and older.

To date, 2,710,638 unique individuals have been tested in Indiana, up from 2,694,585 on Wednesday, the department said. A total of 5,950,922 tests, including repeat tests for unique individuals, have been reported to the state Department of Health since Feb. 26.