Indiana has 31 more virus deaths; cases still at record pace

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana's daily average of new coronavirus infections continued growing at record levels with Saturday's update from state health officials, who also added 31 more COVID-19 deaths to the state's toll.

The state health department's daily update showed Indiana's seven-day rolling average of newly confirmed COVID-19 infections reached 1,799 as of Friday. That is the highest level the state has seen during the pandemic and has more than doubled over the past three weeks.

The 2,521 new infections reported Saturday, a daily high, marked the second straight day that figure topped 2,000 in a single day. The health department said the number was inflated by about 100 cases that weren't previously included because of technical issues.

The newly recorded deaths raise Indiana's death toll to 3,918, including confirmed and presumed coronavirus infections, according to the health department.

Gov. Eric Holcomb cited the increase in cases on Wednesday when he said he would continue the statewide mask mandate for another month. Holcomb, however, chastised those who resist wearing masks as disregarding the safety of others.