As COVID numbers rise, public well being officers name for vigilance towards respiratory viruses

CHICAGO — With COVID-19 hospitalization again on the rise in Illinois, state public well being officers are asking residents to double down on defending themselves towards seasonal sickness.

Twenty Illinois counties at the moment are at a medium stage for hospitalization associated to COVID-19, with a 17% enhance in hospital COVID-19 instances since final week. Flu and RSV infections are additionally rising in hospitals, in line with a information launch from the Illinois Division of Public Well being.

Throughout Thanksgiving, staying wholesome means washing arms typically throughout the vacation, preserving rooms ventilated and asking visitors to cowl coughs, IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra mentioned within the launch.

“I wish to encourage our residents to make use of all the instruments at their disposal to guard themselves and their family members this Thanksgiving vacation weekend,” Vohra mentioned.

IDPH additionally asks residents to skip vacation gatherings if they’ve signs of respiratory infections, Vohra mentioned. Residents can enroll online for 4 free COVID-19 exams, masks and different free private protecting gear.

The division can be calling on well being care facilities to implement masking insurance policies this vacation season.

Omicron strains of COVID-19 are presently the most typical, in line with Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention knowledge. The CDC additionally stories a nationwide rise in RSV, with low vaccine charges however excessive hospitalization charges amongst kids and older adults.

The CDC operates a free COVID-19 vaccine program for folks with out insurance coverage. Kids and youths below 19 can obtain other free vaccines if they’re uninsured, or if they’re Indigenous or Native Alaskan.

Nonetheless, with present shortages of RSV vaccines for kids, pregnant folks ought to search a vaccine between 32 and 36 weeks to go alongside antibodies, in line with IDPH.

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