An ongoing study led by Regenstrief research scientist and Indiana University’s Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI (FSPH) faculty member Nir Menachemi, PhD, MPH, has released preliminary population-level data on COVID-19’s spread through Indiana.
In a recent press conference alongside Governor Eric J. Holcomb, Dr. Menachemi discussed the early findings of the study. Among these findings, the study team determined that 2.8% of Hoosiers have been infected with COVID-19. They also determined that in Indiana, COVID-19 showed a mortality rate of 0.58%, and that 10 out of 11 cases of COVID-19 were not being captured by current screening methods.
“As valuable is our data has been, it is the next wave, planned for early June, that will be even more valuable,” said Dr. Menachemi. “We plan to test another statewide random sample in a few weeks to determine how much the virus has further spread in Indiana. This information will be critical for decision makers.”
The groundbreaking study, a partnership between FSPH and the Indiana State Department of Health, has so far tested 4,600 randomly selected individuals. This sampling has helped the study team evaluate the overall spread and severity of the disease.
“Data is key in guiding our response in the fight against COVID-19, and our partnership with Fairbanks School of Public Health researchers will provide high quality information to help shape our decision making,” Governor Holcomb said. “I want to encourage Hoosiers who are selected to participate to step forward and help us gather the critical information for this groundbreaking scientific study.”
