 According to the CDC, 20 Illinois counties are now
rated at High Community Level for COVID-19, an area that includes
some of the counties around the Chicago metropolitan area, counties
around Peoria and Champaign in central Illinois, and counties in
Southern Illinois. An additional 47 counties throughout the state
are now rated at Medium Community Level.
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 3,407,189 cases, including
34,076 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois since the beginning of
the pandemic.
As of last night, 1,099 individuals in Illinois were reported to be
in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 114 patients were in the
ICU and 32 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators. The
preliminary seven-day statewide case rate is 213 COVID-19 cases per
100,000 Illinoisans.
“With 67 counties at the Medium or High Community Level across
Illinois, more than half of the counties in the state remain at an
elevated level for community risk,” said IDPH Acting Director Amaal
Tokars. “Everyone should be aware that they can play a part in
limiting the spread of the virus. We should all make sure we are
up-to-date on vaccinations and boosters. Parents of small children
should take advantage of the newly authorized vaccines for children
as young as 6 months. In areas with elevated community levels, we
are all wise to put on our masks in indoor public spaces and avoid
indoor crowded spaces as much as possible. If needed, contact a
healthcare provider promptly to discuss what treatment is right for
you.”
The counties listed at High Community Level are Cook, DuPage and
Lake in northeastern Illinois; Adams, Champaign, Douglas, Ford,
Fulton, Knox, Macon, Marshall, Montgomery, Peoria, Pike and Tazewell
in central Illinois; and Johnson, Marion, Massac, Washington and
Wayne 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 22,604,803 vaccines have been administered in Illinois.
The seven-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is
8,727 doses. Since June 17, 61,088 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 53% 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] |
