Two area counties are among four in Illinois now at an elevated risk of COVID-19.
Both Jefferson and Wayne Counties have moved into the medium risk along with two other counties northeast of St. Louis. No counties are at the high level. Jefferson County moved to the medium level with only eight new cases in the week ending Wednesday, but an equal number of new hospitalizations. Wayne County had only one new case, but three new hospitalizations.
Marion County remained at the low level with only three new cases in the past week but also recorded four new hospitalizations. Health Department Administrator Melissa Mallow reported the county went another week without a COVID-19-related death. All congregate-care facilities remain off outbreak status.
Clinton County reported five new cases and one new hospitalization. Washington County had one new case and one hospitalization. Fayette County reported three new cases and no new hospitalizations. For the second week in a row, Clay County had no new COVID-19 cases as well as no new hospitalizations.
State Public Health Department spokesperson Mike Claffey says although the official pandemic emergency ends May 11th, the virus is still circulating.
“We are urging the public to still continue to make sure they are still up to date on their vaccines because cases are occurring and hospitalizations are occurring.”
There were nearly four thousand confirmed and probable new cases of COVID-19 reported this past week. An additional 19 people have died. Claffey says they recommend that seniors and those with a compromised immune system get a second dose of the Bivalent COVID booster shot.
Claffey notes that once the pandemic emergency is over, access to vaccines and treatment should generally remain the same. Coverage of COVID-19 test kits will depend on your health insurer.
