COVID-19 Cases are Slowly Rising in Many Areas of the State
The Illinois Department of Public Health urges Illinoisans to monitor local case counts and remain up to date on vaccinations
COVID-19 cases slowly rising in Illinois
As of April 14, 2022, an Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) news release reports that COVID-19 case rates are slowly rising in many areas of the state. IDPH encourages all Illinoisans to pay close attention to conditions in their local communities and stay up to date on their vaccination status.
“While hospitalizations and deaths tied to COVID-19 remain stable, we are seeing a slow increase in cases in many areas of the State,” said Acting IDPH Director Amaal Tokars.
Dr. Tokars goes on to say, “This is a reminder that we all need to remain vigilant and remain up to date on our vaccination status. It’s essential for those at higher risk for serious outcomes.”
Currently, reported case numbers remain low in Moultrie County and the surrounding area.
Authorization for a second booster dose
In the same release, IDPH also reminds the public about recent guidance from the Center for Disease Control. The CDC recently authorized a second booster dose for specific population segments at least four months after the first booster dose. These segments include:
- Adults over 50 years of age
- Those who are immunocompromised (a poor ability to fight infections) over 12 years old
State health officials stress precautions
State health officials continue to stress the following precautions, which are crucial for those who are at high risk for severe illness:
- Get vaccinated and stay updated on recommended booster shots to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your 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, stay home from work and social gatherings, and get tested as soon as possible.
- If you test positive, talk to your provider immediately to get COVID-19 treatment within five days of starting to feel sick. Also, communicate about the positive result with persons you’ve been in close contact within two days of falling ill or testing positive.
- Continue to wash your hands frequently and cover your coughs and sneezes.
More information is available
More information concerning COVID-19 vaccines, boosters, and the precautions listed above, is available at https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19.html. You can also find information about county Covid-19 conditions at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker. We also invite you to contact the Moultrie County Health Department today at (217) 728-4114 if you have additional questions.
