COVID cases are increasing and the Illinois Department of Public Health is urging people to take precautions to protect themselves and others.
86 counties in Illinois are now at an elevated risk for transmission of the virus. That compares to 74 last week. 43 counties are considered high risk and as of Thursday night, more than 1700 patients were in the hospital with COVID. But state infectious disease chief Heidi Clark says that’s not the only concern.
Clark says, “There are a lot of folks sick. We’re seeing the number of tests that are coming back positive for influenza are at the levels that are pre-designated as high.”
Clark urges everyone six months and up to get the bivalent COVID booster and annual flu shot.
Clark says, “We obviously would encourage folks to stay home when they’re sick or when they’re exhibiting any kind of respiratory symptoms, to test regularly, and wear their masks in crowded areas.”
There is also concern is that there will be a jump in infections after the holidays.
