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Holcomb extends public health emergency, even as he looks to end it

Gov. Eric Holcomb has declared a public health emergency surrounding COVID-19 since March 2020. (Brandon Smith/IPB News)
Gov. Eric Holcomb has declared a public health emergency surrounding COVID-19 since March 2020. (Brandon Smith/IPB News)

Gov. Eric Holcomb said he’s exploring ways to end the state’s public health emergency surrounding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

That’s even as he extended the declared emergency for another month, while rescinding some recent executive actions.

Declaring a public health emergency ensures Hoosiers are eligible for federal aid. And it triggers the governor’s ability to issue a broad range of executive orders.

READ MORE: How Is Indiana Distributing COVID-19 Vaccines? Here's What You Need To Know

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But Holcomb is dialing back on some of the few orders he has remaining. Gone are directives that require hospitals to report diversion data to the state and consider postponing non-emergent procedures.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box said last week Indiana’s statewide hospital census is still at its highest level over the last five years.

Holcomb said, over the next month, he’s asking his team to explore ways for him to no longer extend the public health emergency and end all executive orders in the near future.

Dr. Box warned last week that she’s worried about a winter surge of the coronavirus.

Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.
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Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.