(La Porte County, IN) - Following two months of ever increasing COVID-19 numbers, La Porte County seems to have experienced a leveling of the numbers during the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  But with the virus finding consistency near the peak level of infections, La Porte County is not out of the woods just yet.

 

The coronavirus has been present in La Porte County since testing began in March, but it wasn't until late September when we began to see our first major surge of of infections, hospital admissions, and deaths in La Porte County. 

 

The average number of new positive cases of COVID-19 reported in La Porte County on September 23rd was just 8 new cases per day.  Over the next two months, the average number of new daily infections would balloon to a peak average of 96 daily cases on November 23rd.  Since Thanksgiving, this daily average seems to have stabilized at a level between 74 and 92 new daily infections.

 

With new daily infections finding a level of consistency, so have hospital admissions and deaths.  In November, La Porte County experienced 149 COVID related hospital admissions along with a total of 35 deaths - that's an average of 5 admissions and just over one death per day.  So far in December, 89 people have been admitted (through December 21st) and 25 people have lost their life to COVID (through December 26) - that put's the daily averages at 4.24 admissions and one death per day.  Slightly lower yet consistent with the November levels.

 

And, the situation is also improving for the two main hospitals that serve La Porte County.  In November, both hospitals reported being near full capacity, at times, with two dozen or more COVID patients in each facility.  This past week, officials said the Franciscan Hospital in Michigan City was treating about two dozen COVID patients, with around half that number being treated at the new Northwest Health Hospital in La Porte.

 

Meanwhile, hope is on the horizon as vaccinations have begun in La Porte County.  Many health care workers in the county have already had their first vaccine dose, while vaccinations for first responders and senior care facilities are just beginning across the county.  The 2nd shipment of Pfizer vaccine doses arrived in the county this past week, while the first 500 doses of the Moderna vaccine is expected any day, according to officials. 

 

Stay tuned to HometownNewsNow.com and radio station 96.7 The Eagle for the latest information regarding the impact of COVID-19 on La Porte County, Indiana.