Mask mandate takes effect in bid to slow virus
July 28, 2020By The Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS — State health officials added three more coronavirus-related deaths to Indiana’s pandemic total on Monday, the same day the governor’s statewide mandate for wearing face masks took effect.
The new COVID-19 fatalities occurred since Friday and pushed Indiana’s total to 2,906, including confirmed and presumed cases, since the state's first death was recorded in mid-March, the Indiana State Department of Health said.
Gov. Eric Holcomb pointed last week to the renewed growth in coronavirus infections and hospitalizations in announcing the statewide mask order that's aimed at slowing the virus' spread. The Republican governor’s executive order issued Friday leaves it up to state and local health departments to enforce compliance because he dropped a criminal penalty from the mandate after criticism from some law enforcement officials and conservative lawmakers.
An additional 561 confirmed virus infections were also announced Monday by the state health department. That is the lowest total in more than two weeks, although fewer test results are typically reported during weekends.
Indiana's seven-day average of new cases and its number of COVID-19 hospitalizations remain higher than a month ago, when those numbers started rising following declines from previous peaks in April and early May.
The number of newly reported infections topped 1,000 on Friday for the first time since the outbreak hit Indiana during March.
Indiana’s average deaths remain about 20% of the late April and early May peak, but health officials have said they worry about that growing in the coming weeks with additional infections and hospitalizations.
More on DuboisCountyHerald.com
-
County records 8 new COVID-19 cases
The Indiana State Department of Health reported Wednesday eight new COVID-19 cases in Dubois County. -
County sees 5 COVID-19 deaths, 5 new cases
The Indiana State Department of Health reported Tuesday five new COVID-19 deaths in Dubois... -
Man injured in crash with stopped school bus
A Birdseye man was flown to an Evansville hospital with a head injury after his pickup truck... -
County sees 12 more COVID-19 cases
The Indiana State Department of Health has reported since Friday 12 new COVID-19 cases in Dubois... -
Former Herald photographer takes top award
Former Herald photographer Marlena Sloss was named 2020 Indiana Photographer of the Year this... -
Fire destroys several houseboats at Hoosier Hills Marina
A fire at the Hoosier Hills Marina at Patoka Lake engulfed nearly a dozen houseboats Friday... -
County records 11 new COVID-19 cases
The Indiana State Department of Health reported Friday 11 new COVID-19 cases in Dubois County. -
Tenth Street Elementary demolition begins
Despite almost a half-foot of snow and freezing weather, plans to raze the Tenth Street...