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COVID-19 ALERT
Govenor Eric Holcomb has extended Indiana's public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic until January 24.
In an effort to preserve ICU hospital capacity, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced hospitals will be required to postpone non-emergent in-patient procedures for three weeks.
Postponed procedures include those that are unlikely to cause risk to a patient’s prognosis. Hoosiers who need medical assistance are encouraged to continue to see their doctor or go to a hospital.
Holcomb also said he is extending the statewide mask order and toughening restrictions on crowd sizes that he reinstated last month.
The size of social gatherings is limited by the color metric. Local health departments are no longer allowed to grant permission for larger events.
All data were provisional and subject to change as more information is reported to the state.
Vaccination Information
According to the Post-Tribune, Indiana is expanding to reach those 80 years old and older. That means over 250,000 residents are now eligible, according to the state. Appointments can be scheduled for those 80 years and over through the state’s website at or by calling 2-1-1.
The publication goes on to say, vaccines would be available through 55 hospitals and 91 county health departments. Those include Methodist in Gary and Merrillville, Community Hospital in Munster, Franciscan in Hammond, Crown Point and Michigan City.
For its clinic, Franciscan Health Crown Point is adding Saturday hours, 8 a.m. to noon, just for those 80 and older, spokesman Robert Blaszkiewicz said.
The Gary Health Department said it would get about 200 doses per week, slated for EMTs and those 80-plus.
The Lake County Health Department is planning a vaccination site at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point. They are expecting to get about 800 doses per week. Once supply increases, it will set up a second site at Wicker Park in Highland.
The Porter County Health Department would have its own site. A representative was not immediately available. An automated message Friday said it did not yet have the vaccine. It is expecting 600 doses per week.
How to schedule
Residents 80 and older can call 2-1-1 or go online to ourshot.in.gov to schedule. They will be directed to the nearest vaccine site.
January 21, 2021
