Logan County Department of Public Health urges vaccination to help minimize the spread of the Covid-19 Delta Variant

[July 30, 2021]   After a period of decline, COVID-19 case rates are rising in the United States and throughout Illinois. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 cases have increased over 300% nationally from June 19 to July 23, 2021, along with parallel increases in hospitalizations and deaths due to the highly transmissible Delta variant strain of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 Delta variant currently accounts for more than 80% of all cases in the United States, and the majority of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are occurring among individuals who are not fully vaccinated.

According to the CDC, vaccination is the most effective strategy to minimize the spread of COVID-19, prevent infection and severe disease. The Logan County Department of Public Health (LCDPH) continues to support this effort by making the vaccine available to the public at no cost. Appointments are no longer necessary as LCDPH will be conducting walk-in clinics at scheduled times. You are encouraged to bring your insurance card.
 

The one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be offered for walk-ins on Friday, July 30th from 9 a.m. to noon and the Moderna vaccine will be available for walk-ins on Fridays in August from 7:45 a.m. until 3:45 p.m. The Moderna vaccine is administered in a 2-part series, so you will be instructed to return to LCDPH in four weeks after your initial dose. You must be 18 years of age to receive the Moderna vaccine, you must wear a face mask at the LCDPH clinic, and it is recommended you wear a shirt that allows for easy access to the upper arm to receive the dose. After the vaccine is administered, you will be instructed to sit for 15 minutes to be monitored.

In addition, the CDC reports that there is emerging evidence suggesting fully vaccinated people who do become infected with the Delta variant are at risk for transmitting it to others. Due to the risk of spread, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has adopted the CDC recommendations that those who are fully vaccinated should wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of “substantial” or “high” transmission. The latest report indicates Logan County is at a level of substantial transmission.

You can visit the CDC website at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view to view the latest statewide and national transmission levels.

The Logan County Department of Public Health urges everyone who qualifies to get vaccinated and to take the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the Delta variant. For more information, you can contact the health department at 217-735-2317 or log onto their website at WWW.LCDPH.
ORG.  The health department is located at 109 3rd Street, Lincoln.

[Don Cavi, MS, LEHP
Public Health Administrator
Logan County Department of Public Health]