Booster Shots, Indoor Masking Encouraged Amid Rising COVID Risk Levels, Health Officials Say – NBC Chicago

Illinois health officials are urging COVID-19 vaccinations, booster shots and indoor masks as cases continue to rise and many counties have shifted to high levels of coronavirus risk. .

As of Friday, 23 Illinois counties – including Cook, Kane, McHenry, Lake, DuPage, DeKalb, Kendall and Will counties – were all listed below the “medium” community alert level for delivery of COVID at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. .

The town of Evanston said Thursday the community’s COVID risk level rose from “medium” to “high,” the highest alert level, due to rising coronavirus cases.

“As cases rise, we urge the public not to be alarmed, but to be aware of this trend and act by making sure they are up-to-date on vaccinations and booster shots,” said the Illinois Department of the Public. . Health Acting Director Amaal Tokars. “In addition, in areas rated at a Medium Community Level, elderly or immunocompromised people are strongly advised to mask internal organs.”

Here is what IDPH advises residents to do today:

• Get vaccinated and stay updated on recommended booster shots to protect yourself, your loved ones and friends.
• If you are in an area with an increase in COVID-19 infections, wear a mask when entering indoor vents with other people present and consider avoiding multiple gatherings.
• Keep well-ventilated areas when you are not wearing a mask indoors around other people.
• If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, loneliness and staying home from work as well as social gatherings; and take a test as soon as possible.
• If you test positive, talk to your provider immediately so you can get COVID-19 treatment within five days of starting to get sick. Also, talk about the positive result with any people you have close contact within two days who have been ill or tested positive.
• Continue to wash your hands regularly and cover coughs and sneezes.

If a person tests positive for COVID, Tokar also encourages consulting a health care provider to receive various treatments to avoid hospitalization and death.

Here you will find treatments near you.

Last week, Illinois reported 40,026 new cases of COVID-19, along with 45 additional deaths. As the number of cases has increased, the death toll has dropped by one in the past seven days.

Last week, the state reported 30,633 new and 46 dead. In the week before that, the state reported 24,646 new cases and 46 deaths were reported.

In all, 3,209,341 cases of coronavirus have been reported in the state since the pandemic began, according to the latest data from the Illinois Department of Public Health. The additional deaths brought the state to 33,705 confirmed COVID deaths.

Over the past seven days, the state average weekly vaccination has dropped to 11,586 doses, per IDPH data. Since Friday, 81,101 doses have been given statewide.

More than 22 million doses of the vaccine have been given in Illinois since vaccinations began in December 2020. More than 69% of Illinois residents have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with more than 76% receiving most less than one dose. About 51% were also raised.

As of midnight Thursday, 909 patients had been hospitalized for COVID in the state. Of the patients, 87 were in the ICU bed, and 25 were on the ventilator.