The colors are changing to orange and red and we’re describing the leaves on the trees, at least not yet.

We’re describing the Indiana color-coded COVID map. Most counties in Indiana are now orange, with exception to St. Joseph, Elkhart, LaGrange, LaPorte, Porter, Lake and Starke. Those remain in the yellow zone, for now.

As many as 16 counties, downstate, are now in the red, or most severe, zone, when it comes to the rate of coronavirus transmission.

On Wednesday, Aug. 25, more than 5,000 new COVID cases were reported by the state health department. That’s the highest one-day total since January 10.

The seven-day positivity rate for the state is up to 11 percent.

More than 2,000 Hoosiers are currently in the hospital with the virus, and a quarter of them are in the ICU.