After setting more than a dozen COVID-19 records between October and December, Indiana has started the new year with significantly lower cases and deaths than those record-setting months.

The work that people in public health do is often not very visible. It's usually focused on long-term impacts like improving maternal health and encouraging flu shots. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S. last spring, public health workers were thrown into the spotlight seemingly overnight. And this sudden shift has taken a huge toll on them.

More than 62 percent of the state's total deaths have been reported since Indiana moved to Stage 5 of its reopening plan on Sept. 26.

As soon as COVID hit, there was a huge jump in telemedicine visits. But some of these virtual options remain out of reach for the most vulnerable populations, like seniors and rural residents.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a big impact on Americans' mental health. Hotline calls have increased. And doctors have seen an increase in depression like symptoms in patients -- even children. Health professionals are encouraging adults to talk to children about mental health and suicide.

As Indiana works to make sure older adults get the COVID-19 vaccination, local agencies on aging are helping register seniors and get the word out about mobile vaccination offerings.

Hoosiers 70 and older can now register for appointments to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The Indiana Department of Health announced the expansion Wednesday.

Indiana opened registration beyond first responders and health care workers on Jan. 8, allowing Hoosiers 80 and older to schedule appointments for vaccines. As of Jan. 13, those 70 and older are eligible to schedule a vaccination appointment.

The Indiana Department of Health announced Monday a new strain of COVID-19 -- which had previously been identified in the United Kingdom -- is also in Indiana.

Indiana University School of Medicine launched a new PhD program to train the next generation on a new dimension of health care.