Indiana coronavirus updates for March 29, 2022

INDIANAPOLIS — Here are Tuesday’s latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic, including the latest news on COVID-19 vaccinations and testing in Indiana.

Registrations for the vaccine are now open for Hoosiers 5 and older through the Indiana State Department of Health. This story will be updated over the course of the day with more news on the COVID-19 pandemic.

RELATED: Here’s everything we know about the COVID-19 vaccine

RELATED: Here are the most common omicron symptoms being reported

Indiana and 20 other states with Republican attorneys general sued several federal agencies and officials to “force them” to halt the federal government’s mask mandate on planes, trains, ferries and other public transportation amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Tampa, Florida, contends that the mask mandate exceeds the authority of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The mandate in its current form may be in effect only a few weeks more. The CDC recently extended it until April 18 while also indicating it is weighing scaling back the rules for a more targeted approach.

U.S. regulators on Tuesday authorized another COVID-19 booster for people age 50 and older, a step to offer extra protection for the most vulnerable in case the coronavirus rebounds.

The Food and Drug Administration’s decision opens a fourth dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to those people at least four months after their previous booster.

Until now, the FDA had cleared fourth doses only for people 12 and older who have severely weakened immune systems. The agency said this especially fragile group also can get an additional booster, a fifth shot.

The latest expansion, regardless of people’s health, allows an extra shot to millions more Americans — and the question is whether everyone who’s eligible should rush out and get it.

Hours after the FDA approval, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended the extra shot as an option but stopped short of urging that those eligible rush out and get it right away.  

The Indiana Department of Health reported 480 more Hoosiers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Tuesday. The total number of people vaccinated in Indiana is now at 3,700,526.

There were 676 booster doses administered Monday, bringing the total number to 1,740,263.

There have been more than 79.95 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States as of 5 a.m. ET Tuesday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 977,680 deaths recorded in the U.S.

Worldwide, there have been more than 482.33 million confirmed coronavirus cases with more than 6.12 million deaths and more than 10.89 billion vaccine doses administered.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness like pneumonia, or death.

The IU Health Pathology lab team announced it has processed its 1 millionth COVID-19 test. In the two years since the pandemic started, the team has grown from 13 to more than 40 members.

After hospitalizations peaked during the omicron surge, IU Health said it’s currently treating 57 patients for COVID-19 statewide.

White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said she tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday after returning from Europe with President Joe Biden, in the latest infiltration of the coronavirus into the West Wing’s protective bubble around Biden.

Jean-Pierre, the principal deputy press secretary, said she last saw Biden “during a socially distanced meeting” on Saturday. Biden, because he is fully vaccinated, is not considered a “close contact” under Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Jean-Pierre traveled to Belgium and Poland with Biden after press secretary Jen Psaki tested positive for the virus last week.

Kroger Health announced that its Little Clinics are participating in the Biden Administration’s “Test to Treat” initiative for patients exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. 

The service is available at all 225 locations in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and Virginia.

If you visit a Little Clinic and test positive for COVID-19, you will receive their antiviral prescription, if clinically appropriate, which can be filled at a Kroger pharmacy. 

Patients can schedule a test at https://www.kroger.com/health/clinic and select, “COVID Viral Test (Test Active Infection)” as the reason for their visit.

The U.S. COVID-19 Therapeutic Locator provides additional information linked here.

The Marion County Public Health Department (MCPHD) continues to provide free COVID-19 vaccination and testing to anyone interested in receiving these services.

MCPHD is operating one COVID-19 testing site, which is a drive-thru clinic located at 3838 N. Rural St. in Indianapolis.

The clinic’s current hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. This clinic offers PCR testing only and no rapid testing. A list of additional test sites registered with the Indiana Department of Health is available at coronavirus.in.gov.

Appointments for COVID-19 testing at the MCPHD location are not required but are available by visiting marionhealth.org/indycovid or calling 317-221-5515.

MCPHD is also offering COVID-19 vaccines at its district health offices, ACTION Health Center, and four other locations in Marion County. Appointments for vaccines are not required but are recommended. 

Please visit ourshot.in.gov or call 2-1-1 to find a vaccination clinic.

• Northeast District Health Office, 6042 E. 21st St.
  Mondays: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
  Tuesdays: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Eagledale Plaza Health Office, 2802 Lafayette Road
  Tuesdays: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Northwest District Health Office, 6940 N. Michigan Road
  Thursdays: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• South District Health Office, 7551 S. Shelby St.
  Mondays: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
  Fridays: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• ACTION Health Center, 2868 N. Pennsylvania St.
  Wednesdays: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
• Martindale-Brightwood Public Library Branch, 2435 N. Sherman Drive (ages 12-over only)
  Tuesday through Friday: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• College Avenue Public Library Branch, 4180 N. College Ave. (ages 12-over only)
  Tuesday through Friday: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• East 38th Street Public Library Branch, 5420 E. 38th St.  (ages 12-over only)
  Tuesday through Friday: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• IndyGo Carson Transit Center, 201 E. Washington St.  (ages 12-over only)
  Tuesdays: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  Wednesdays: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  Thursdays: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.