Gov. Holcomb Extends Public Health Emergency Another 30 Days

The governor hopes to end the public health emergency in the near future.

INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric Holcomb has signed an executive order extending the state’s public health emergency another 30 days.

While the executive order maintains critical assistance for Hoosiers, Holcomb has instructed his staff and relevant agencies over the next few weeks to bring him a plan that contemplates options to wind down executive orders and end the state public health emergency in the future.

In response to the improved conditions relating to the spread of COVID-19, the latest executive order removes several provisions, including:

• The direction for hospitals to consider reprioritizing or postponing non-emergent procedures
• The reporting requirements for hospitals about diversion
• The direction to the Indiana Department of Insurance to request that insurers extend prior authorization for non-emergent surgeries or procedures that are postponed and prior authorizations for the transfer or discharge of patients

Indiana currently has a 7-day all tests positivity rate of 7.5 percent. COVID-19 spread has decreased in recent week with only one Indiana county in the red.

Locally, Dearborn and Ohio county are currently in yellow status with positivity rates under 6.5 percent. Franklin, Ripley and Switzerland counties remain in orange status.

Governor Holcomb’s executive order also added a provision to allow the health commissioner to issue a standing order to authorize the administration of COVID immunizations to children under 11.

The provision comes as state officials anticipate CDC approval of a vaccine for children ages 5-11.