COVID-19 cases in Indiana have increased slightly, with cases still falling in Monroe County. Monkeypox cases remain low in Indiana, but cases of severe illness continue across the country.
COVID-19
Monroe County reported 25 COVID-19 cases and zero deaths in the past week. Indiana reported 2,948 cases this week and 11 deaths.
Many cases continue to go unreported due to the increased use of at-home tests.
Over the summer, IU removed its COVID-19 dashboard. However, students can still get free PCR tests through drop-off testing and up to four free antigen tests per month from vending machines in the Indiana Memorial Union and the McNutt center building.
Anyone older than six months can now receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination appointments can be made at ourshot.in.gov.
Updated vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer are now available. The vaccine targets the BA.4 and BA.5 coronavirus variants, which have evaded prior versions of the vaccine more easily. These variants currently make up all new coronavirus cases in the U.S.
Last Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration approved the new bivalent COVID-19 vaccines for younger children. The CDC approved the vaccines shortly after.
Individuals can now receive the Pfizer vaccine if they are 5 and older, and the Moderna vaccine if they are 6 and older. To receive the shot, individuals must have completed the entire COVID-19 vaccine series and wait at least 2 months after the last booster and 3 months after testing positive for COVID-19.
Find the clinics nearby offering the new vaccine here.
Monkeypox
There have been 246 cases of monkeypox reported in Indiana since the first case in June. There have been 12 new cases since Oct. 7, with five cases reported since the dashboard’s last update Oct. 12.
Most cases have been concentrated in central Indiana, with 38.2% of cases affecting those 18 to 29, according to the Indiana monkeypox dashboard.
This week, officials confirmed monkeypox deaths in New York and Nevada, bringing the official CDC death count to four. The other two deaths occurred in California on Sept. 12 and Ohio on Sept. 29.
Potential monkeypox deaths may have occurred in Texas and Maryland, although final confirmation is still pending.
The CDC issued a new warning about severe illnesses from monkeypox following the new deaths. This severe version of monkeypox mostly occurs in people who are immunocompromised or have HIV, particularly if untreated, although anyone can get it.
Examples of severe manifestations of monkeypox are necrotic lesions that may require amputation, bowel lesions causing obstruction and lesions that affect essential organs, like the heart, eyes, lungs and brain.
The main symptom of monkeypox is a rash that resembles pimples or blisters. Other symptoms of monkeypox include fever, cough and nasal congestion.
Positive Link at IU Health is offering monkeypox vaccines for high-risk individuals at its weekly vaccine clinic on Tuesdays.
