CHICAGO, Ill. – The COVID-19 situation in Illinois continues to improve.
That’s according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, which says as of Friday, only two counties have elevated spread levels of COVID-19 in the state. Iroquois and Kankakee Counties in the east central part of the state are listed at “Medium”, with none at “High.”
That’s down from six counties the week before.
What hasn’t changed much is the number of reported new cases –5,278 this week, 5,584 cases last week.
Nevertheless, the state says the virus is still circulating and causing hospitalizations, and the state is praising a recent CDC decision to back a second bivalent booster for those 65 and older, that will protect against new strains of COVID.
“The FDA and CDC’s decision to approve a second COVID-19 booster this week demonstrates the real risk that this illness continues to pose for specific groups,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra, in a news release. “Although Illinois overall continues to have low COVID-19 community levels, the virus is still circulating and causing hospitalizations. Vaccines remain the best tool to prevent serious illness. I encourage those individuals who are over 65 or immunocompromised to speak with their health care provider about the benefits of this additional COVID-19 booster.”
Since the pandemic began, more than 36,000 Illinoisans have died.
