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

A bill that would give Hoosier workers the right to refuse employer-mandated vaccines had its first hearing in a committee Wednesday morning. It would go further than current federal laws and excuse workers based on their conscience.

The Indiana Department of Health said the variant was identified in the state through testing by the state agency's laboratory and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but Monday's announcement included no additional information on its discovery in the state.

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.

The Indiana Department of Health reported 502 additional confirmed deaths over the last week. That brings the states total to 8,613 confirmed deaths. The state also reported more than 37,500 new cases in the last week.

Registration opened to Hoosiers aged 80 and older on Friday, which represents about 4 percent of the population.

On Chicago's Southwest side, a colorful mural pays tribute to Americas essential workers. It features three of the community's very own: Rosalinda, a retail clerk; Javier, a postal carrier and Juan, a butcher shop worker. Underneath their portraits are the words El Corazon de Chicago: The heart of Chicago.

In some counties, initial doses have already become available for teachers, while others are still waiting without much information about when they'll get their shot.

Health officials say Marion County is experiencing a bump in cases after the holidays.

The next vaccination steps announced Wednesday come after vaccinations of Indiana health care workers began Dec. 16 and extended to nursing home residents and staffers last week.