According to the CDC, 42 counties are now rated at 
			High Community Level for COVID-19. An additional 39 counties in 
			Illinois are now rated at Medium Community Level. 
			 
			Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 3,645,961 cases, including 
			34,595 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois since the beginning of 
			the pandemic. 
			 
			As of last night, 1,434 individuals in Illinois were reported to be 
			in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 152 patients were in the 
			ICU and 56 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators. The 
			preliminary seven-day statewide case rate is 197 COVID-19 cases per 
			100,000 Illinoisans. 
			 
			IDPH Director Sameer Vohra is urging all Illinoisans to get up to 
			date on vaccinations and booster shots as the best defense against 
			hospitalization and more serious outcomes from COVID-19. A second 
			booster shot is recommended for all individuals over the age of 50 
			four months after they have received their first booster. In 
			addition, he is reminding parents and guardians to get children 
			vaccinated. 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 in Illinois listed at High Community Level are Adams, 
			Alexander, Champaign, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, 
			DeKalb, Douglas, Edwards, Ford, Franklin, Gallatin, Hardin, 
			Henderson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jo Daviess, Johnson, Kane, Kendall, 
			Lake, Lawrence, Lee, Macoupin, Mason, Massac, Montgomery, Ogle, 
			Perry, Pike, Pope, Pulaski, Richland, Saline, Stephenson, Wabash, 
			Wayne, Whiteside, Williamson, and Winnebago. 
			 
			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 23,166,764 vaccines have been administered in Illinois. 
			The seven-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 
			8,023 doses. Since August 12, 56,163 doses were reported 
			administered in Illinois. Of Illinois’ total population, more than 
			77% 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]  |