COVID-19 Hospitalizations Continue Rising In The New Year

Indiana – Indiana’s COVID-19 hospital census has grown by more than 250 patients since Jan. 1.

At the start of the new year, the Indiana Department of Health — formerly the Indiana State Department of Health —recorded 2,655 virus-related hospitalizations, the lowest number since mid-November. But since then, the total number of hospitalizations has increased by nearly 10% to 2,907. COVID-19 hospitalizations peaked on Nov. 30, when 3,460 Hoosiers were in the hospital due to the virus.

Indiana’s supply of available ICU beds subsequently fell with this rise in hospitalizations. COVID-19 patients fill 27.6% of ICU beds, and less than a quarter remain available.

IDOH reported Tuesday 3,477 new cases and 142 new deaths, totaling 533,083 cases and 8,292 deaths statewide. Indiana’s seven-day positivity rate has increased every day since Dec. 23 and currently sits at 15.8%. The state has administered more than 5.8 million tests on 2.6 million Hoosiers.

In Monroe County, IDOH recorded 37 new positive cases, increasing the county total to 8,255 cases. The death toll remained at 98. Monroe County has administered 225,445 tests on more than 72,000 residents with an 8.8% seven-day positivity rate.