|  According to the CDC, 66 counties are now rated at 
			High Community Level for COVID-19. An additional 31 counties in 
			Illinois are now rated at Medium Community Level. 
 Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 3,563,653 cases, including 
			34,357 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois since the beginning of 
			the pandemic.
 
 As of last night, 1,459 individuals in Illinois were reported to be 
			in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 153 patients were in the 
			ICU and 43 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators. The 
			preliminary seven-day statewide case rate is 278 COVID-19 cases per 
			100,000 Illinoisans.
 
 “With 97 counties at an elevated risk level for COVID-19, the most 
			important thing people can do to protect themselves is to make sure 
			they are up-to-date on their vaccinations and boosters,” said IDPH 
			Acting Director Amaal Tokars. “This is the most effective means we 
			have to protect ourselves from serious illness, hospitalization and 
			death. So please don’t wait to get up-to-date!”
 
 Director Tokars is also urging parents and guardians to take the 
			steps necessary to get children vaccinated, especially small 
			children under 5 for whom COVID-19 vaccines were recommended by the 
			CDC on June 18. Tokars said that IDPH is supporting an education and 
			outreach campaign by the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of 
			Pediatrics to educate healthcare providers and parents about the 
			effectiveness and safety of the newly authorized vaccines for 
			children under 5. Click HERE to view the resources for families
 
 The counties listed at High Community Level are Boone, Carroll, 
			Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kendall, Lake, Lee, 
			McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, Will, and Winnebago in 
			northern Illinois; Adams, Champaign, Clark, Clay, Coles, Cumberland, 
			Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Fulton, Hancock, Knox, 
			Macon, Marshall, Moultrie, Pike, Shelby, Vermillion, and Warren in 
			central Illinois; and Bond, Calhoun, Crawford, Edwards, Franklin, 
			Gallatin, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jersey, Johnson, 
			Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, 
			Richland, Saline, St. Clair, Union, Wabash, Wayne, Washington and 
			Williamson in Southern Illinois.
 
 
			
			 
			The CDC recommends the following measures for people in areas that 
			are rated at High Community Level for COVID-19 transmission:
 
 Wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of 
			vaccination status (including in K-12 schools and other indoor 
			community settings)
 
 If you are immunocompromised or high risk for severe disease
 
			Wear a mask or respirator that provides you with 
			greater protection
 Consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities in public where 
			you could be exposed
 
 Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to take 
			other precautions
 
 Have a plan for rapid testing if needed (e.g., having home tests or 
			access to testing)
 
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            IF YOU TEST POSITIVE: Talk to your healthcare 
			provider about whether you are a candidate for treatments like oral 
			antivirals, and monoclonal antibodies
 If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk 
			for severe disease
 
 consider self-testing to detect infection before contact
 
 consider wearing a mask when indoors with them
 
 Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters
 
 Maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces when possible
 
            
			 
            Follow CDC recommendations for isolation and quarantine, including 
			getting tested if you are exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms of 
			COVID-19
 At the Medium Community Level, persons who are elderly or 
			immunocompromised (at risk of severe outcomes) are advised to wear a 
			mask in indoor public places. In addition, they should make sure to 
			get up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines or get their 2nd booster, 
			if eligible.
 
 IDPH has been supporting pharmacies and healthcare providers in 
			efforts to increase their inventories of the various FDA-authorized 
			treatments. There are over 1,200 treatment locations in Illinois - 
			including all the major retail pharmacies. More than 96.7% of the 
			state’s population is within a 10-mile radius of one of these 
			locations.
 
 A total of 22,985,407 vaccines have been administered in Illinois. 
			The seven-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 
			12,671 doses. Since July 22, 88,694 doses were reported administered 
			in Illinois. Of Illinois’ total population, more than 76% has 
			received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, more than 69% of 
			Illinois’ total population is fully vaccinated, and more than 54% of 
			the vaccinated population has an initial booster according to data 
			from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data indicates 
			that the risk of hospitalization and severe outcomes from COVID-19 
			is much higher for unvaccinated people than for those who are up to 
			date on their vaccinations.
 
 All data are provisional and are subject to change. Additional 
			information and COVID-19 data can be found at https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19.html.
 
 Vaccination is the key to ending this pandemic. To find a COVID-19 
			vaccination location near you, go to www.vaccines.gov.
 
 The federal government has established a new website that provides 
			an all-purpose toolkit with information on how to obtain masks, 
			treatment, vaccines and testing resources for all areas of the 
			country at: https://www.covid.gov/.
 
            [Illinois Office of Communication and 
			Information] 
            
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