This chart shows a steep increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations in Indiana, according to the Indiana Department of Health.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana is moving back from Stage 5 as Indiana and much of the nation see a rise in COVID-19 cases.

At his weekly COVID-19 press conference, Gov. Eric Holcomb said he was moving the state back.

Nationally, more than 1 million cases have been reported in the first 10 days of November.

In Indiana, the state department of health reported more than 2,300 people were currently hospitalized with COVID-19. On Oct. 1, the number of hospitalizations was 963.

Beginning Nov. 15, a large number of counties will see new restrictions.

County-by-county restrictions are based on a colored-coded map that grades positivity rates. Positivity rates are based on those tested, not the total population.

Kosciusko County is one of many orange counties with positivity rates of 10% or more. Those counties are being told to limit social gatherings to 50 people.

Furthermore, the governor announced that special, seasonal or commercial events involving more than 50 people will need an OK from the county health department.

There are also new requirements for schools.

Attendance at winter indoor K-12 extracurricular and co-curricular events will be limited to 25% capacity. Capacity in common areas and break rooms should be reduced and users should be socially distanced; and community rec sports leagues and tournaments may continue with attendance limited to participants, required personnel and parents/guardians only.

Nine red counties, with positivity rates of at least 15%, will see more restrictions.

Counties in red will have to restrict social gatherings to 25 or fewer. Gatherings of more than 25 will need approval from the health departments. The state strongly advises those counties not to have events with more than 25 people. The state includes college and professional sports in these requirements for red counties.

Additional requirements for red counties include: “Attendance at winter indoor K-12 extracurricular and co-curricular activities, including IHSAA sports, is limited to participants, support personnel and parents/guardians; local officials may consider limiting hours for the operation of bars, nightclubs and restaurants; community recreational sports leagues and tournaments may continue with participants, required personnel and parents/guardians only; senior center activities are suspended; hospitals, long-term care facilities and other congregate settings may impose visitation limits; and common areas and break rooms should be closed.”

Holcomb said the new restrictions will continue for a month.

The existing mask mandate will continue as well.

Holcomb also said that “the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission together, with local partners and citizen input, will continue to check businesses for occupancy, social distancing, face-covering use and other executive order components to ensure compliance.”

He said the state would be giving out $20 million to local communities to help with COVID-19 education and observance of guidelines among other things.

In response to a reporter’s question, Holcomb said churches are exempt from the guidelines. He did emphasize that places of worship should work on meeting “safely.” He said he believes people tend to not follow COVID-19 guidelines carefully in activities other than worship services.