Nearly all Indiana counties in higher COVID-19 risk levels

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Nearly all Indiana counties are now listed by the state health department in the higher risk categories for COVID-19 spread as severe illnesses are straining hospitals at levels months earlier than last winter’s surge.

Gov. Eric Holcomb said a new statewide executive order being issued Wednesday won’t reinstate any mask mandates or business restrictions even as more schools face COVID-19 outbreaks and Indiana’s vaccination rate remains stubbornly low.  

The coronavirus risk ratings updated weekly by the state health department put 13 of Indiana’s 92 counties in highest-risk red category, with 75 counties with the next-highest orange rating. Only four counties were in the lower-level yellow category.