Indiana health officials warn of Labor Day coronavirus surge
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana health officials don’t want the Labor Day weekend fun to lead to a rise in coronavirus cases this Fall and are asking Hoosiers to make this holiday weekend a safe one.
State leaders pointed to surges in Indiana COVID-19 cases after Memorial Day and the 4th of July and said everyone needs to work together, to prevent a surge after Labor Day weekend.
During Indiana’s most recent State COVID-19 update on Wednesday, Dr. Kristina Box, the state health commissioner, voiced concern. She said contact tracing has shown more than 3,300 cases of coronavirus statewide, that were connected to places where people were gathering in groups.
Dr. Box said those groups include people at bars, gyms, hair salons, restaurants, retail outlets, schools, and daycares. They also include social gatherings such as family reunions, weddings, churches, and other places where people were simply getting together.
Dr. Box said this is proof that everyone needs to be careful during Labor Day weekend.
“COVID can spread quickly in large gatherings. Especially when people aren’t staying six feet apart and wearing masks. Please pay attention to that as you make your plans for Labor Day weekend. We saw a surge in patients after Memorial Day and our July 4th gatherings. I don’t want to see that surge after Labor Day. Make this weekend a safe one Hoosiers,” said Box.
The Indiana Department of Health tweeted out that “We get it, you want to see your loved ones. Make sure you stick to a small group who practice safety measures.” They said people should stick to a social bubble. Only gather with a small group of people who only socialize with each other and take the same prevention measures.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is also asking people to do everything they can to prevent a spike in cases ahead of flu season.
“What I would really like to see kind of a full-court press to get us way down as a baseline. So that when you get these cases in the fall, they won’t surge up,” said Fauci.