SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Department of Public Health continues to report lower new case numbers of COVID-19, and for some of those who have had it recently, widely used therapeutic treatments have helped keep them out of hospitals.
Almost 20,000 new cases were reported statewide in the last week as of Friday, and a state official says treatments like Paxlovid have worked.
“Running the number for the last four months, we’ve seen that, when people get the therapy, we estimate we’ve averted about 8,600 hospitalizations over the four months,” said Mike Claffey, spokesperson, Illinois Department of Public Health. “So, that’s really helping out the hospital system, keeping beds free for other people who need them.”
1,314 people were hospitalized with COVID in Illinois as of Thursday night, the IDPH said.
Meanwhile, now only 68 Illinois counties are at medium or high levels of community spread of the disease, which also continues to decline.
Peoria and Tazewell Counties remain at medium community spread, while Woodford County remains at low.
The newest form of the COVID-19 booster vaccine is available in most parts of Illinois, including at local pharmacies and nursing homes.
“If you were double boosted, and it’s been more than two months, then we strongly recommend you go out and get…one of the new updated bivalent boosters that are designed to protect you from Omicron,’ said Claffey.
Claffey who says the state’s COVID website and your local health department can help you find out specifically where the booster will be available.
