On a day when Indiana set a record for new COVID-19 positive tests statewide, 246 new cases and no deaths were reported Friday in Northwest Indiana.
Statewide, 1,832 additional positive cases were reported, bringing the total number of Hoosiers diagnosed with COVID-19 to 131,493.
This marks a new milestone for Indiana — the record in positive COVID-19 cases reported in a single day.
The Region's death totals stayed at 335 in Lake County, 49 in Porter County, 47 in LaPorte County, 11 in Newton County and three in Jasper County, according to data from the Indiana State Department of Health and local health departments.
Statewide, 19 more deaths were reported in a 24-hour period for a total of 3,534.
Another 227 deaths statewide were listed as probable, meaning there was no positive test on record but a physician listed COVID-19 as a contributing cause, based on X-rays, scans and other clinical symptoms. One of those probable deaths was in Porter County, officials said.
New deaths reported Friday occurred between Oct. 3 and 8, state health officials said. All data were provisional and subject to change as more information is reported to the state.
A total of 16,474 Northwest Indiana residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
Lake County added 159 cases, for a total of 11,578, Porter County added 50 cases for a total of 2,515, LaPorte County added 34 new cases for a total of 1,767, Jasper County saw three additional cases, bringing its total to 432, and Newton County remained at 182 cases.
One patient was hospitalized in Porter County, and 2,118 have recovered, the county health department said.
Across Indiana, the positivity rates were at a 5.1% seven-day rate and a 5.7% cumulative rate for all tests and 9.3% seven-day rate and an 9% cumulative rate for unique individuals.
Northwest Indiana positivity rates included 6.6% for all tests and 8.8% for unique individuals in Lake County, 5.2% for all tests and 8.4% for unique individuals in Porter County, 6.7% for all tests and 9% for unique individuals in LaPorte County, 4.6% for all tests and 5.4% for unique individuals in Jasper County and 1.1% for all tests and 5.8% for unique individuals in Newton County.
The number of cases reported in a 24-hour period comes two weeks after Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Indiana would enter the fifth and final stage of its reopening plan.
Senate Democratic Leader Tim Lanane, D-Anderson, accused Holcomb of not implementing statewide COVID-19 restrictions and not enforcing the statewide mask mandate, in a statement issued Friday.
"Only two weeks after the governor completely reopened our state, we are looking at what could turn into the worst COVID-19 surge Indiana has experienced since the pandemic began," he said. "Indiana is now turning into a perfect example of what not to do to stop the spread of this deadly virus."
Lanane added that Indiana University Ball Memorial Hospital has reported an all-time high of COVID-19 positive inpatients, and urged Gov. Holcomb to put the state's reopening on hold and more strongly enforce a mask mandate.
"This is not business as usual; this is a deadly disease spreading uncontrollably through Indiana," he said.
Holcomb's press secretary, Rachel Hoffmeyer, refuted claims of zero statewide restrictions, referencing the Stage 5 guidelines, which include 6-foot social distancing and required face coverings. Stage 5 allows for large gatherings, restaurants and venues at full capacity, the opening of fitness centers and visitation at nursing homes.
When a reporter asked Holcomb on Friday if he was still comfortable with Indiana being in stage five, Hoffmeyer said he replied:
"I am right now. But I don’t make long-term predictions based on a virus that’s uber infectious and easy to spread," Holcomb said. "I’m pleading and begging and asking Hoosiers all over the state to do what works. So, we want to make sure we’re encouraging folks to mask up, practice physical distancing, all those things that we know work and that will draw these numbers down. That’s the one thing that we can control and is important that we do.”
Holcomb also added, "We take it day by day and week by week. There are a lot of factors that going into what we do. It’s the balance of our lives and our livelihoods.”
State officials said 1,463,436 unique individuals have been tested in Indiana. A total of 2,276,846 tests, including repeat tests for unique individuals, have been administered.
NWI testing totals included 104,382 in Lake County, 31,914 in Porter County, 23,844 in LaPorte County, 6,368 in Jasper County and 1,902 in Newton County.
Newly reported tests were administered between May 5 and Thursday.
To find testing locations around the state, visit www.coronavirus.in.gov and click on the COVID-19 testing information link. More than 200 locations are available around the state, including sites in Valparaiso and Michigan City.
Times Staff Writer Anna Ortiz contributed to this report.
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