Inside INdiana Business is reporting that Indiana will remain at its current level of Governor Eric Holcomb’s Back on Track reopening plan as the Hoosier state continues to struggle with a high rate of positive COVID-19 cases.
The governor said Wednesday the state will hold at 4.5, instead of advancing to phase five, until at least August 27.
“Our persistent, high positivity rate ticking up in different parts of our state has caused us to say we’re going to remain here,” said Holcomb.
It has been four weeks since Holcomb announced the state would press pause on fully reopening restaurants, bars, tourism venues and sporting events.
The Indiana State Department of Health says the state’s 7-day average positivity rate on COVID cases is 6.8%, compared to 4.5% in June.
“What I’m reminded of, on a daily basis, is this virus will take what we give it and so it’s incumbent upon us to be on our best behavior, and practicing physical distancing and good hygiene and masking up when you can’t put that distance between you,” Holcomb said.
Indiana State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box said the state will be adding a new map to the COVID-19 dashboard to illustrate the daily positivity rates by county to see where hotspots are located.
Box also emphasized the need for Hoosiers to take part in contact tracing if they are notified by ISDH staff that they have been in close proximity to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Box says approximately 80% of Hoosiers have been successfully contacted
“These are good percentages compared to other states, but that still means 20% who are positive are not responding to contact tracers,” said Box. “Those are the people we really worry about because it means they’re likely not taking the steps to protect themselves, friends and family members.”
Holcomb also provided an update on housing concerns, sayings he will sign an executive order this week to extend the moratorium on evictions and the prohibition of filing foreclosures through August 14.