The weekly roundup of COVID-19 news: Indiana’s COVID-19 cases dip slightly following Labor Day weekend. Gov. Eric Holcomb says the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate is a "bridge too far." And the Indiana Department of Health hires a company to help expand testing as demand continues to rise.

Several major companies in Indiana including Eli Lilly, Anthem and Roche Diagnostics said they will require COVID-19 vaccines for their employees.

The state's contract with Kentucky-based Gravity Diagnostics will run through June of next year, with an option to extend it further if needed.

The law, HEA 1123, allows the legislature to call itself into session during a public emergency -- like, for instance, the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Eric Holcomb sued, arguing the law is a breach of separation of powers.

In a statement, Gov. Eric Holcomb said he draws a line at the government imposing a mandate.

The state Health Department’s latest report showed that the current COVID-19 surge has boosted Indiana hospitalizations to 2,513 patients as of Tuesday.

The study looked at nearly 2 million adult residents tested for COVID-19 in Indiana between March 2020 and December 2020. The goal was to identify the communities that need the most public health intervention and support during and after the pandemic.

Beginning Tuesday, almost a dozen Bureau of Motor Vehicles offices throughout the state will be closed until Oct. 2 due to staffing shortages.

Programs including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) ended on Sept. 4.

Some zoos, including Indianapolis, are giving animals an experimental vaccine to protect against COVID-19. But is a vaccine needed for household pets?