This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.
Two additional COVID-19 deaths were reported Thursday in Northwest Indiana, as the Region's daily case increase was more than 160 and Indiana's shot past 1,000, health officials reported.
One new death each was reported in Lake and LaPorte counties.
Death totals across the Region included 274 in Lake County, 41 in Porter County, 30 in LaPorte County, 10 in Newton County and two in Jasper County.
There were six new deaths statewide Thursday, bringing the state's total to 2,811. New deaths were reported between July 28 and Wednesday. All data were provisional and subject to change as more information is reported to the state.
ISDH listed another 202 deaths as probable, meaning there was no positive test on record but a physician listed COVID-19 as a contributing cause, based on X-rays, scans and other clinical symptoms. One of the deaths in Porter County's total was listed as probable.
The five-county Northwest Indiana area added 167 additional coronavirus cases Thursday.
Lake County reported 121 new cases, bringing its total to 7,343. Porter County added 24 more cases, bringing its total to 1,250. LaPorte County's cases increased by 19 for a total of 869.
Jasper County saw three new cases, bringing its total to 219. Newton County added no new cases, leaving its total at 114.
ISDH reported 1,051 new cases across Indiana Thursday, bringing the state's total to 71,015. New cases were reported between July 29 and Wednesday.
Lake County health officials said they would no longer report community totals on their website because they believed the data on ISDH's website was more detailed. The state's data does not reflect community death totals. However, case totals are available by ZIP code through the state health department's website.
The East Chicago Health Department reported Wednesday 772 cases and 14 deaths.
The Gary Health Department reported Thursday 1,118 positive COVID-19 cases and 66 deaths.
Of Lake County's total deaths, 119 were from long-term care facilities, the Lake County Health Department reported. The county's case total included 439 residents and 204 staff at those facilities.
The Porter County Health Department reported the following community totals Thursday: Portage Township, 454, up eight; Center Township, 362, up nine; Westchester Township, 109, up two; Washington Township, 69, no change; Liberty Township, 66, up three; Union Township, 63, up one; Porter Township, 34, up one; Boone Township, 24, no change; Pleasant Township, 23, no change; Morgan Township, 22, no change; Jackson Township, 15, no change; and Pine Township, nine, no change.
Total deaths included: Portage Township, 18, no change; Center Township, 15, no change; Westchester Township, six, no change; Liberty Township, one, no change; and Union Township, one, no change.
The Porter County Health Department listed three patients hospitalized and 1,010 people recovered as of Wednesday.
The Westville Correctional Facility on Thursday had 201 inmates and 109 staff who had tested positive for COVID-19. A total of 197 inmates and 104 staff have recovered, according to the Indiana Department of Correction.
A total of 804,345 people in Indiana had been tested for COVID-19, with an 8.8% total positivity rate and 7.4% seven-day positivity rate, ISDH said.
The Region's seven-day positivity rates included Newton County, 9.2%; Jasper County, 8.5%; Lake County, 7.7%; Porter County, 5.1%; and LaPorte County, 5%.
The seven-day positivity rates were reported between July 24 and 30.
ISDH reported 63,388 people tested in Lake County, 16,869 in Porter County, 13,540 in LaPorte County, 3,579 in Jasper County, and 983 in Newton County.
New tests were reported between May 7 and Wednesday.
The Gary Health Department continues to offer COVID-19 testing at the health center, 1145 W. Fifth Ave., by appointment 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. No upfront payment is necessary, but guests are encouraged to bring any proof of insurance to the testing site. Doctors' orders are not required.
Walgreens is offering testing at the company’s old East Chicago location at 720 W. Chicago Ave., which will be free to those who have no health insurance. Individuals with health insurance should bring their insurance information so the provider can be billed. Testing will be available 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
ISDH also will host drive-thru testing from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Saturday at Morton High School, 6915 Grand Ave., in Hammond, and at the same time and dates at St. Timothy Community Church, 1600 W. 25th Avenue, in Gary.
Testing at those sites is available to anyone older than 12 who lives or works in Indiana, ISDH said.
To find testing locations around the state, visit www.coronavirus.in.gov and click on the COVID-19 testing information link. More than 200 locations are available around the state, including sites in Valparaiso and Michigan City.
Indiana
Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Wednesday he will sign an executive order directing Hoosiers to wear face masks in public places where it's not possible to maintain six feet of social distancing.
The Republican chief executive said the face mask requirement takes effect Monday in all 92 Indiana counties and every community across the state. Click here for more information.
Lake County
The Lake County Health Department is ordering every person inside a business, or any other indoor public space, to wear a mask over their mouth and nose at all times — effective immediately.
Dr. Chandana Vavilala, the county's health officer, said July 20 she and the Lake County Board of Health determined a mask order is needed to minimize the spread of the coronavirus in Indiana's second-most populous county.
According to her order, the mask requirement applies throughout the county, even in municipalities that have not adopted their own mask orders, except for Gary and East Chicago, which have their own health departments. Click here for more information.
LaPorte County
A widespread mask mandate went into effect July 17 in LaPorte County.
In a 2-1 vote, the LaPorte County Commissioners voted to require residents to wear face coverings in public settings, to protect public health and to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Gary
Mayor Jerome Prince on July 17 mandated face coverings in the city when people gather outside and during indoor settings with others who are not from the same household or crowds of strangers. Click here for more information.
Merrillville
Town officials are asking masks be worn in public establishments.
In a Facebook post, the Town of Merrillville said beginning at 11 a.m. July 20, face masks will be required while in public buildings "of any type" until further notice. More information here.
Beverly Shores
The town of Beverly Shores issued a face covering mandate in an emergency order, official documents said.
The order went into effect July 17 and declared a local disaster public emergency in Beverly Shores, according to a document released on the town’s website. More information here.
Hammond municipal buildings
People who step foot inside a city municipal building are required to wear a face covering, officials announced July 13. Click here for more information.
WiseWay Market
WiseWay Market will now require shoppers to wear face masks inside its stores to curb the spread of COVID-19, it announced July 20. Click here for more information.
Strack & Van Til
"Starting on Thursday, July 23, Strack & Van Til will require customers to wear a mask or face covering when shopping in our stores," Strack & Van Til CEO and President Jeff Strack said. Click here for more information.
Walt's Food Center
Walt's Food Center has joined the growing list of retailers both in the Region and nationwide to require customers to wear masks or face coverings as positive COVID-19 cases mount around the country.
"We are at Walt’s requiring masks for people to enter our stores," company spokesperson Jenna Sluiter said.
Menard's
In early July, Menard's announced it would be requiring masks at all stores. Click here for more information.
Meijer
Meijer started requiring masks in its stores on July 20. Click here for more information.
Jewel-Osco
Starting on July 21, Jewel-Osco will start requiring customers to wear masks to limit the spread of coronavirus.
"Effective July 21, 2020, we will require customers across all of our locations to wear face coverings when shopping with us, for their protection and for that of our associates," the retailer posted on Twitter. More information here.
Horseshoe Casino
Caesars Entertainment, owner of Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, announced June 24 it is requiring everyone indoors at its properties to wear masks at all times, except when eating or drinking. Click here for more information.
Illinois Secretary of State
Face masks are required, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced July 9. Click here for more information.
Indianapolis
Face masks are required in all public places in Indianapolis as of July 6, city officials announced Thursday. Click here for more information.
Starbucks
Starbucks' mask mandate went into effect July 15. "In its continued effort in prioritizing the health and well-being of partners (employees) and customers, Starbucks today announced that beginning on July 15, it will be requiring customers to wear facial coverings while visiting all company-owned café locations in the US," a company statement read July 9. Click here for more information.
Walmart
Walmart will require customers to wear face coverings at all of its namesake stores, making it the largest retailer to introduce such a policy that has otherwise proven difficult to enforce without state and federal requirements. Walmart's mask mandate was scheduled to begin July 20. Click here for more information.
Sam’s Club
Walmart announced that its Sam's Club stores will require masks in addition to its namesake stores, effective July 20. Click here for more information.
Costco
Costco Wholesale Club was one of the first major retailers to require face coverings for customers at all of its stores. The policy went into effect in early May. Click here for more information.
Best Buy
Best Buy, the nation's largest consumer electronics chain, will require customers to wear face coverings at all of its stores nationwide, even in states or localities that don't require them to do so. Best Buy's mask mandate went into effect July 15.
Kohl's
"As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, face covering mandates have grown to apply to approximately 70% of our store base, therefore we’ve made the decision to take a consistent approach across our entire store fleet," Kohl's said in its statement. Kohl's mask mandate was scheduled to begin July 20. Click here for more information.
Kroger
In a statement, Kroger writes, "With the increase in COVID-19 cases across the country, we are committed to doing our part to help reduce the spread of the virus. Starting July 22, we will require all customers in all locations to wear a mask, joining our associates who continue to wear masks." Click here for more information.
Dollar Tree
“In accordance with guidelines from the CDC, we are requiring all associates, customers and vendors to wear cloth face coverings when inside our stores,” a Dollar Tree statement read July 8. Click here for more information.
Target
Target has joined a list of the nation's largest retailers that will require customers to wear masks as cases of COVID-19 spike. The policy will go into effect Aug. 1. More than 80% of Target's 1,800 stores already require customers to wear masks due to local and state regulations. Target said that it will hand out masks at entrances to those who need them. Click here for more information.
CVS
CVS released the following statement July 16: "With the recent spike in COVID-19 infections, we're joining others in taking the next step and requiring all customers to wear face coverings when entering any of our stores throughout the country effective Monday, July 20. To be clear, we're not asking our store employees to play the role of enforcer. What we are asking is that customers help protect themselves and those around them by listening to the experts and heeding the call to wear a face covering." Click here for more information.
Lowe's
Lowe’s announced it will require customers to wear face coverings when shopping in its stores beginning July 20. Lowe’s will offer masks at the customer service desk for those who need them. They will be available while supplies last.
Home Depot
Home Deport will require customers to wear masks or facial coverings while inside stores beginning July 22. Small children or those who have a valid medical condition will not be required to wear a mask. Click here for more information.
PetSmart
PetSmart announced that all customers are required to wear masks at its stores. Click here to for more information.
Walgreens
Walgreens' mask requirement started July 20. Click here for more information.
Aldi
"The health and safety of our employees, customers and the communities we serve will always be our highest priority. With that focus in mind, effective July 27, face coverings will be required to enter ALDI stores." Click here for more information.
