Governor Holcomb decided to bring back coronavirus restrictions Wednesday with the virus surging all across Indiana. The Indiana Hospital Association believes Holcomb did the right thing.

Holcomb that social gatherings will be limited to 50 people in counties that are orange, and 25 people in counties that are red on the Indiana Department of Health’s coronavirus map. Red and orange are the colors that show the virus to be the most severe with yellow and blue indicating less virus spread. If you have an event that wants more than that you will have to submit plans and get approval from health leaders.

Indiana Hospital Association President Brian Tabor released the following statement on Wednesday:

We applaud the steps announced by the Governor today, and it is urgent that all elected officials at the federal, state, and local levels collaborate on the steps needed to slow the spread. Our frontline health care heroes need all Hoosiers to understand how dangerous the current trends are—COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased by 164% since October 1 with today seeing an all-time high in hospitalizations of 2,544.

Holcomb said they are not closing restaurants and bars, but hours may be restricted depending on what local health departments say, and they will be continuing to require masks.

Hospitals and long-term care facilities may also have limitations on visits.

“This year has been hard. It is going to get harder if we don’t commit to wearing a mask, socially distancing, staying home if you’re sick, and washing your hands,” said Dr. Kris Box, State Health Commissioner.

As far as ICU bed usage goes across Indiana, 44% of ICU beds are in use for non-coronavirus related issues, 30% of ICU beds have coronavirus patients, and a little more than 26% of ICU beds are available. Those numbers are an increase of where ICU beds were Fourth of July weekend (48% non-covid, 9.5% ICU beds that had coronavirus patients, and 42% of ICU beds were available on 7/4).