The Indiana Department of Health added 5,659 COVID-19 cases to the state's total Friday, bringing it to 1,118,335. The cases were confirmed between Nov. 23 and Dec. 2. It also reported 57 confirmed deaths, bringing the state's total to 17,117. The deaths occurred between Oct. 29 and Dec. 2.1.

According to a release from the hospital, 41 patients are currently hospitalized with COVID, 35 of whom are unvaccinated. That’s the highest number of COVID patients so far this year.

The first U.S. omicron case was identified Wednesday about a week after its discovery in South Africa. While there are concerns about the variants transmissibility, the number of mutations it possesses make it easier to detect than other strains.

The Indiana Department of Health reported more than 6,000 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday.

Libraries play a central role in many communities, providing books and information and helping people navigate challenges. Increasingly, those challenges are beyond the scope of what librarians are trained to handle like housing insecurity and mental illness. To meet the need, some libraries are hiring social workers.

The Indiana Hospital Association, Indiana State Medical Association and Indiana State Nurses Association said more vaccinations are needed to relieve pressure on the state's health care system.

Pediatric COVID-19 vaccine appointments opened just more than four weeks ago -- nearly 62,000 have already received at least one of two doses.

Indiana has seen a 66% increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations over the past three weeks after declines from a summer surge peak of nearly 2,700 patients in September.

Opportunities for children to sit on Santa’s lap for pictures and chat about toys were different last year because of COVID-19.

The Indiana Department of Health has launched a new resource for Hoosiers with questions about COVID-19 treatments. The hotline will help connect people to monoclonal antibody treatment centers.