SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Department of Public Healh says the number of new cases of COVID-19 in the state is continuing to go down, and the number of people looking to get the latest COVID-19 booster is going up.
State officials say 17,584 new cases were added in the state as of Friday, down from 19,933 the week before. 1,153 people are hospitalized. 74 more details were reported in the week.
Also as of Friday, 188,800 Illinoisans have received the new bivalent booster, designed to protect against the Omicron variants.
“There is concern, as we head in to fall, that there will be another increase in COVID cases,” said Mike Claffey, IDPH spokesperson. “But, we’re really encouraged that people are taking the opportunity to get the extra protection from the new bivalent booster shot.”
There is one group that is getting the vaccine more than others, though.
“Elderly people over 65, who are more at risk if they contract COVID-19, they are turning out in really high numbers,” said Claffey. “They make up about 20 percent of the population. But, people over 65 in Illinois have received 44 percent of the bivalent doses. We think that’s great.”
Doses are available at most local pharmacies and assisted living or long-term care facilities.
Meantime, IDPH says 66 Illinois Counties are at medium or high risk of community spread of COVID, down two from last week. Peoria and Tazewell Counties are at medium level, while Woodford County remains at low. Nearby Fulton County is high, according to the Centers for the Disease Control.
