Indiana State News

Indiana health department announces almost 1,500 new coronavirus cases

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:54:44 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) reported 1,499 new positive coronavirus cases Friday, bringing the state’s total to 109,683.

Those new cases were reported to ISDH between Sept. 12 – Sept. 17, following corrections to yesterday’s dashboard.

ISDH also announced 17 additional confirmed deaths from COVID-19, bringing Indiana’s total to 3,270. The new deaths were reported between Aug. 31 – Sept. 17.

ISDH dashboard data indicated a 7-day unique individual positivity rate of 6.9%, with a cumulative rate of 8.6% positive.

The latest ISDH dashboard data indicates a 7-day all-test positivity rate of 4.5%, with a cumulative rate of 6.1% positive.

According to the data, 25,955 new individuals have been tested statewide, with the total number of individuals tested at 1,813,640.

Marion County reported a total of 20,510 cases and 758 coronavirus deaths to date, the most in the state.

As of Sunday, 37.9% of ICU beds and 80.8% of ventilators are available across the state.

The agency also is reporting 225 total probable deaths in Indiana. Probable deaths are those for which a physician listed COVID-19 as a contributing cause based on X-rays, scans and other clinical symptoms but for which no positive test is on record.

For complete statistics reported by ISDH, including total tests administered and demographic data, visit Coronavirus.In.Gov. The state has not released data on recoveries.

Wildfire sparked by gender reveal claims life of firefighter

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:11:23 +0000

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) — A firefighter died battling a wildfire in California that officials said was sparked by a device used to reveal a baby’s gender.

The death happened Thursday in the San Bernardino National Forest as crews battled the El Dorado Fire, the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement.

The fire erupted earlier this month from a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device used by a couple to reveal their baby’s gender, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, said.

The name of the firefighter was being withheld until family members are notified. The cause of the death was under investigation.

“Our deepest sympathies are with the family, friends and fellow firefighters during this time,” Forest Service spokesperson Zach Behrens said in the statement.

No other information was released about the firefighter, the agency the firefighter worked for or the circumstances of the firefighter’s death. Behrens said in a telephone interview he could not comment beyond details in the statement.

California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, said earlier this month that the fire was ignited Sept. 5 when a couple, their young children and someone there to record video staged the baby gender reveal at El Dorado Ranch Park at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains.

The device was set off in a field and quickly ignited dry grass. The couple frantically tried to use bottled water to extinguish the flames and called 911.

Authorities have not released the identities of the couple, who could face criminal charges and be held liable for the cost of fighting the fire.

Shortly after the fire began, San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson issued a statement saying he was aware of the community’s concerns about how the fire started.

“If investigative reports are filed with our office, we will review all facts, evidence, statements, and reports to determine what criminal charges, if any, need to be filed,” Anderson said.

The wildfire has burned nearly 30 square miles (77.7 square kilometers) and was about 66% contained, according to Cal Fire. The fire has destroyed 10 buildings and damaged six others.

More than 17,000 firefighters are battling more than two dozen major wildfires in California. The blazes are blamed for at least 25 deaths.

Firefighter dies battling wildfire sparked by gender reveal

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:09:24 +0000