The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) reported a new record in the daily number of reported cases of COVID-19, since the start of the pandemic: 5,007.  43 new deaths were recorded, bringing the state’s pandemic death toll to 4,348.  Infections, hospitalizations, and deaths from the coronavirus have skyrocketed in Indiana since the state moved to Stage 5 of reopening, a few weeks ago.

Gov. Eric Holcomb still has a mask mandate in effect for public places, and says going back to previous levels of crowds allowed in places of business, in previous stages, would not improve COVID numbers.  Holcomb is relying on Hoosiers to employ self discipline to mask up when going out in public.

The statewide positivity rate as of Oct. 31 (the latest date for which figures are available) stands at 9.0 percent, according to ISDH.  Health professionals say a positivity rate of below five percent is desirable for coronavirus control.