Although COVID-19 numbers in Indiana and Monroe County have remained steady, monkeypox numbers continue to grow.
Monroe County reported 753 cases and four deaths in the past month, while the state had 60,094 COVID-19 cases and 206 deaths.
Despite these numbers, the transition to at-home tests for many has caused cases to go unreported, including in Monroe County.
Over the summer IU removed its COVID-19 dashboard and paused asymptomatic testing, although testing is back this semester. Drop-off PCR and antigen tests are available on campus regardless of symptoms.
There have been 141 cases of monkeypox reported in Indiana since the first case in June. As of Aug. 26, 19 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have more cases than Indiana, although Indiana is reporting higher numbers than surrounding states Wisconsin and Kentucky. There have been no deaths from monkeypox in the United States.
The main feature of monkeypox is a rash that resembles pimples or blisters. Other symptoms of monkeypox include fever, cough and nasal congestion.
Indiana is hosting monkeypox vaccine clinics for those who have been or are more likely to be exposed to the virus. There is a vaccine clinic at 8 p.m. Aug. 26 in Vigo County and 4 p.m. Aug. 27 in Harrison County. Marion County is offering vaccinations throughout the next few months.
Anyone older than six months can now receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination appointments can be made at ourshot.in.gov.
Earlier this week, Moderna submitted an application for its updated vaccine to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The vaccine targets the BA.4 and BA.5 coronavirus variants, which have evaded prior versions of the vaccine more easily. If approved for emergency use, the vaccine will become available as early as September.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misstated where students could get a COVID-19 test on campus and incorrectly reported the number of cases in a month as cases in a week.
