CHAMPAIGN – With Thanksgiving simply two weeks away, three east-central Illinois counties are experiencing excessive charges of COVID-19 infections.
Illinois Division of Public Well being Director Dr. Sameer Vohra stated Vermilion, Iroquois and Edgar counties are all at reasonable ranges of COVID-19 primarily based on the variety of coronavirus-related hospitalizations over the previous week.
A complete of 10 counties within the state are experiencing excessive ranges of COVID-19 hospitalizations, whereas the remainder of the state stays at low ranges, he stated.
Different counties are within the mid-range, that means 10 to 19.9 hospitalizations because of COVID-19 per 100,000 folks, together with Effingham, Fayette, Jefferson, Davis, Kankakee, Stephenson and Wayne Counties.
Vohra was updated on COVID-19 and flu photographs with the Champaign-Urbana Public Well being District on Wednesday and confused the significance of staying updated on vaccines as the vacations and their related giant household gatherings method.
For individuals who are hesitant, he stated in case you get vaccinated now, you can be absolutely protected by Thanksgiving.
“You recognize it is a crucial determination that I made right here as we speak,” he stated.
Vohra stated it is also essential to guard the group from the triple affect of influenza, COVID-19 and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) instances, often known as the triple epidemic final winter.
As of Sept. 12, lower than 1 / 4 (21.1%) of Illinois residents who’re sufficiently old to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine had absolutely adopted the really useful vaccination schedule, in accordance with the newest statistics from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
Simply forward of the discharge of a brand new COVID-19 vaccine, it has been reformulated to guard towards the newest strains of the virus which might be circulating.
The present share could also be larger, Vora stated.
State public well being spokesman Mike Claffey stated monitoring how many individuals have obtained the brand new COVID-19 vaccine is more difficult as a result of it’s distributed by way of the industrial market fairly than the federal authorities.
Vohra stated regardless of a nationwide scarcity of the brand new RSV vaccine, there’s ample provide of COVID-19 and flu vaccines.
COVID-19 therapies are additionally in adequate provide, he stated, and now could be the time to speak to your well being care supplier to be sure to have a plan to get remedy in case you get sick.
Whereas vaccines are being distributed by way of medical doctors’ places of work and pharmacies, the Champaign-Urbana Public Well being District can be providing vaccines by way of outreach clinics to those that haven’t got entry to them, District Administrator Julie Pryde stated.