Illinois Coronavirus News & Updates
With Sharp Drop in Demand, Community-Based COVID-19 Testing Sites to End Operations March 31
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced today that in response to a sharp drop in the demand for COVID-19 testing services at the ten Community-Based Testing Sites and the anticipated end of federal funding, operations at the locations will end on March 31. IDPH previewed that operations would be winding down when the mask mandate was lifted and has seen traffic at the sites – which carried out more than 1.5 million tests in total throughout their operation – drop precipitously in recent weeks. The sites are currently handling less than one percent of the tests being conducted statewide.
Illinois Department of Public Health Adds New COVID-19 Treatment for Distribution Across Illinois
As a new COVID-19 treatment rolls out across the country, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) continues to distribute these life-saving therapeutics equitably across the state. On February 11, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization for a new monoclonal antibody, bebtelovimab, for the treatment of COVID-19.
Gov. Pritzker Announces Illinois Plan to Lift Statewide Indoor Mask Requirement on Monday, February 28
With statewide COVID-19 hospitalization rates declining faster than any other point in the pandemic, Illinois is on track to lift the statewide indoor mask requirement on Monday, February 28, 2022. Mask requirements will continue where federally mandated, such as on public transit and in high-risk settings including healthcare facilities and congregate care.
Illinois Department of Public Health Recognizes Two-Year Anniversary of First COVID-19 Case in Illinois
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) continues to urge people to get vaccinated and boosted as it marks the two-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 case reported in Illinois. Two years later, IDPH is reporting more than 30,000 COVID-19 deaths in Illinois.
Get free at-home COVID-19 tests
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.
Illinois Department of Public Health Announces COVID-19 Antivirals Available in the Coming Weeks
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is announcing two new COVID-19 oral antivirals, Paxlovid (Pfizer) and Molnupiravir (Merck), will be available in Illinois later this month. The antivirals are for those with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk for becoming severely ill, including hospitalization or death.
Anyone with COVID-19-like illness or symptoms can get a test, even without a doctor’s order.
Illinois COVID-19 Hotline and Email Address
If you have questions about Coronavirus (COVID-19), Call the Illinois Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Hotline 1-800-889-3931 or, send an email to dph.sick@illinois.gov anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Resources & General Coronavirus Information
Reliable information – Corona News & Updates for Central Illinois
The Coronavirus News & Updates is a service of the Moultrie County Health Department. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is the primary source of this reliable information. Much of the data originates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many of the articles you’ll read below refer to COVID-19 which is the CDC’s short designation for “coronavirus disease 2019.”
The purpose of this service is to provide you with the latest critical news on the novel coronavirus Covid-19 in Illinois and locally as it affects Moultrie County.
Also follow Moultrie County Health Department on Facebook.
Coronavirus News & Updates: We’re all in this together
Today, we know more about who is at greater risk of getting the coronavirus than we did a few months earlier. We know that people over the age of 60 and those with underlying health conditions are particularly vulnerable to the more severe effects of the disease. Although younger, healthier children and adults may suffer only minor symptoms, they can still spread the coronavirus to the more vulnerable population.
The Moultrie County Health Department wants you to live smart and responsibly until we’re through this pandemic. So, let’s wash our hands longer and more frequently. Avoid large gatherings of people. Reduce unnecessary physical contact with others as much as possible. Above all, let’s listen to public health experts and act on the basis of facts instead of misinformation. Thus, we encourage you to check the Coronavirus News & Updates for the latest information each day.