SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health has issued a warning that COVID-19 case rates are slowly rising in many areas of the state and that residents should be staying up-to-date on their vaccination status. Acting IDPH Director Amaal Tokars stressed that vaccination is the most effective tool available to fight the virus. You can find a COVID-19 vaccination location near you by going to www.vaccines.gov.
“While hospitalizations and deaths tied to COVID-19 remain stable at this time, we are seeing a slow increase in cases in many areas of the State,” said Tokars.
IDPH is also reminded the public about the recently authorized second booster dose for certain segments of the population at least four months after the first booster dose. This includes adults over 50 years of age, and people who are immunocompromised – those with a poor ability to fight infections – over 12 years old.
State health officials are stressing the following precautions, which are critically important for those who are at high risk for serious illness:
• Get vaccinated and stay up-to-date on recommended booster shots to protect yourself, your loved ones and friends.
• If you are in an area with rising COVID-19 infections, wear a mask if entering indoor spaces with other people present and consider avoiding large gatherings.
• Stick to well-ventilated areas if you are not wearing a mask indoors around other people.
• If you feel flu-like symptoms, self-isolate and stay home from work as well as social gatherings; and obtain a test as quickly as possible.
• If you test positive, talk to your provider immediately so you can get COVID-19 treatmentwithin five days of starting to feel sick. Also, communicate about the positive result with any persons you have been in close contact within two days of falling sick or testing positive.
• Continue to frequently wash your hands and cover coughs and sneezes.
For more information https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19.html.
