Indiana, like many states in the U.S., is experiencing a rapid increase in the number of children in hospitals due to COVID-19. One in 38 kids with a positive COVID-19 test are hospitalized in Indiana.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb gave his support Monday to the growing number of school districts across the state issuing mask mandates for students and staff as they try to head off more COVID-19 outbreaks.

In the last week, 1,452 new COVID-19 cases were recorded among K-12 students in the state -- four times more than the previous week, according to Monday's update posted on the Indiana Department of Health's coronavirus dashboard.

The Tippecanoe School Corporation's optional mask policy for students remained in place after the school board heard hours of public comment from a packed room of parents at a board meeting Wednesday.

Across Indiana and the country, each school district is faced with important decisions on COVID-19 safety protocols. But misinformation, politics and emotions are sometimes getting in the way, leaving parents and school officials with confusing, mixed messages.

Lafayette School Corporation officials say students cooperated with a mask mandate Tuesday on the first day of school.

Ball State University President Geoffrey Mearns announced in a message to faculty that masks would be required in all university buildings beginning Monday. And Valparaiso University is requiring all students, faculty and staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccine before the start of the fall semester.

Gov. Eric Holcomb isn't reimposing a mask wearing mandate in state government buildings despite new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.

All students, teachers and visitors to South Bend schools will be required to wear masks under a coronavirus policy officials revised a week after requiring only elementary school students to wear masks.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced last week it recommends people wear masks in schools as COVID-19 cases surge. It's prompting some Hoosier schools to revise their policies, while others are waiting to make decisions based on local COVID-19 data, as many near – or have already started – a new academic year.