Seasonal Respiratory Viruses
Remain at Low Levels Across Illinois
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[February 16, 2024]
Respiratory
virus cases reman at low levels across the state, the Illinois
Department of Public Health (IDPH) said today. The state’s overall
respiratory illness level is Low in the most recent available CDC
data and the state remained at Low level for COVID-19
hospitalizations, according to the CDC COVID Data Tracker as of
February 10. The data showed that four counties are at Medium level
for COVID-19 hospitalizations and two are at High level.
Although respiratory illnesses have been trending down in recent
weeks, IDPH reminds the public that respiratory virus season
typically lasts into the spring, and it is possible that illness
rates could tick upwards in coming weeks.
“I am pleased to report that respiratory illnesses are remaining at
low levels across most of Illinois,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer
Vohra. “IDPH continues to closely monitor the latest data as we near
the end of the respiratory virus season. And we remind Illinoisians
at risk for severe outcomes to use the highly effective tools
available to protect themselves from COVID-19, flu, and RSV.”
If people do develop symptoms of a respiratory
illness – including coughing, sneezing, sore throat, a runny nose or
fever – IDPH recommends staying home and away from others to avoid
spreading illness. If you need to seek medical care, you should wear
a mask to limit the risk to others – or try to schedule a telehealth
appointment. In addition, public health experts urge anyone who has
been recently exposed to COVID-19 or other respiratory viruses to
wear a mask when in crowded areas, and if visiting someone at high
risk for severe disease. For more on when and where to use a mask,
click HERE.
IDPH launched a new awareness campaign in the fall called ’Tis the
Sneezin’ to remind Illinoisans that vaccinations provide the best
protection against the triple threat of COVID-19, flu and RSV.
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RSV season is now winding down in
Illinois therefore the use of the RSV vaccine in pregnancy is no
longer warranted. However, the shots that can be used to provide
infants and young children protective immunity to RSV will
continue to be available until the end of the season, and older
adults can continue to get their RSV vaccine even after the
season is declared over. To
help keep the public informed about conditions around the state,
IDPH recently launched an
Infectious Respiratory Disease Surveillance Dashboard that will
be updated weekly on Fridays. This report provides the public the
latest data on hospital visits, seasonal trends, lab test positivity
and demographic data.
Every household in the U.S. is eligible to receive four free at-home
tests through the COVID.gov website. IDPH has also made available a
single swab triple-test for Flu/RSV and COVID-19, at no cost, to
high risk congregate care settings and local health departments.
For those who are uninsured or under-insured, the CDC launched the
Bridge Access Program last year that covers the cost of COVID-19
vaccines. The Vaccines for Children Program covers all ACIP
recommended vaccines for eligible children, including nirsevimab for
RSV protection.
For treatment of COVID-19, Illinoisans who experience symptoms can
access no cost-share telehealth services through the SIU School of
Medicine COVID Test to Treat services or call (217) 545-5100. An
additional option is the NIH Test to Treat line or call
1-800-682-2829 to get access to no-cost care.
The federal government has established a 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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