So-called cryptic lineages may hold the key to better understand how the virus that causes COVID mutates to evade our immune systems.

In a statement, the state health department said booster doses help prevent hospitalization and death from COVID-19 and variants. Statewide cases have more than doubled in just the last month.

Indiana surpassed 1.7 million confirmed cases following its dashboard update Wednesday, adding its most recent 100,000 new cases over the last four months.

A jury in a Kentucky court ruled that Gravity Diagnostics, a Kentucky-based laboratory testing company, has to pay a former employee more than $450,000 after terminating his employment in August 2019.

The changes to the COVID-19 protocols on public transportation come after a federal judge ruled Monday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had exceeded its authority and failed to follow proper rulemaking procedures.

Studies reported a 50 percent spike in drinking initially, with levels remaining elevated throughout 2020. Addiction experts say it's still an issue that could have serious consequences down the road.

The Indiana Department of Health added 228 COVID-19 cases to the state's total Friday, bringing it to 1,690,144. The cases were confirmed between March 22, 2021 and March 24, 2022. It also added 16 confirmed COVID-19 deaths, raising the state's total to 22,438. The deaths occurred between Jan. 20 and March 23.

The total COVID-19 patients at Indiana hospitals stood at 360 as of Tuesday, down about 90% from mid-January, according to state health department tracking.

Renew Indianapolis, has invested more than $2.6 million to help 19 homeowners who fell behind on their mortgages because of the pandemic.

The University of Notre Dame is easing its mask mandate starting Monday, leaving them optional indoors for staff, students and visitors who are fully vaccinated.