Hospitals have a lot of tests to find a problem, such as X-rays, MRIs and CT scans. But studies show that Black and Hispanic patients are less likely to get this imaging in an emergency, and that might lead to other health issues.

The Indianapolis Coalition for Patient Safety, with members from central Indiana hospital systems, called on residents to adhere to safety measures, including masks and limiting social gatherings.

Gov. Eric Holcomb says Indiana hospitals must postpone or reschedule non-emergency surgeries for the next few weeks as COVID-19's surge worsens statewide.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box said the surgery restrictions will allow hospitals to shift health care workers to help care for patients with COVID-19.

Hospital officials across the state are worried about not having enough health care workers to care for the quickly growing number of severely ill patients.

As COVID-19 numbers continue to surge across the state, more hospitals are forced to send non-emergency patients elsewhere. But that doesnt mean local hospitals will stop caring for patients needing urgent care.

Across the Midwest, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have spiked. That's forcing some hospital officials to add beds for these patients.

As of Nov. 12, 2,548 Hoosiers are hospitalized with the virus. That's 180 percent higher than it was when Indiana moved to Stage 5 of its reopening plan.

State officials are renewing their call for retired health care workers to help relieve staff in Indiana's hospitals and long-term care facilities as the number of hospitalizations and new infections across the state continue to spike at record highs.

The St. Joseph County Health Department is preparing for a possible surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations.