Indiana reports 7 more COVID-19 death, new cases remain high

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana health officials on Monday reported seven more coronavirus-related deaths and more than 800 new COVID-19 infections as the state's seven-day rolling average of new cases remained higher than at any point in the pandemic.

The newly reported deaths raised Indiana's death toll to 3,681, including confirmed and presumed coronavirus cases, the Indiana State Department of Health said. That is an increase of 90 deaths in the past week.

The state agency also reported 835 new COVID-19 infections, pushing Indiana's seven-day average to 1,100 through Sunday. That rolling average has grown about 33% since Sept. 24.

State statistics show that Indiana hospitals were treating 1,019 COVID-19 patients on Sunday - the 10th straight day that hospitalizations have topped 900. The last time the state saw such a long streak was in early August.

The increases come as health experts say it could be weeks before the state sees any possible impact from Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb's decision to lift most of Indiana's restrictions on businesses and crowd sizes as of Sept. 26 while continuing the statewide mask mandate.

Democratic governor candidate Woody Myers, a physician and former state health commissioner, has said that easing those precautions 'œwas a huge mistake.'ť