Title: Surge in Respiratory Viruses Poses Threat to Illinois, Officials Warn
In a recent announcement, Illinois health officials have raised concerns about a surge in respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV, sweeping through the state. As hospitalizations due to these viruses rise, authorities are urging the public to take necessary precautions.
Over the past week, a staggering 20% increase in hospitalizations has been observed for respiratory viruses in Illinois. In particular, 44 counties are reporting elevated levels of hospitalizations for COVID-19, with five counties reaching a “high” alert status. The situation is of particular concern in terms of the pediatric ICU capacity, which is limited in some areas.
To keep residents well-informed, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has launched a new infectious respiratory surveillance dashboard. The dashboard is accessible to the public and provides up-to-date information about hospital visits, lab test positivity rates, and demographic data.
To curb the spread of these respiratory viruses, IDPH is strongly encouraging residents to utilize various preventive measures. These include regular COVID-19 testing, enhanced ventilation, practicing good hand hygiene, staying home when feeling unwell, wearing masks in crowded places, and receiving vaccinations for COVID-19, flu, and RSV.
Furthermore, health care settings are being advised to consider implementing mandatory mask-wearing in patient care areas to protect not only patients but also healthcare professionals.
The State-Operated Developmental Centers, in response to outbreaks among residents and staff, are intensifying COVID testing and bolstering infection prevention policies.
With the holiday season around the corner, health officials are also emphasizing the importance of proper indoor ventilation and maintaining good hand hygiene for hosts and guests alike.
This recent surge in respiratory viruses closely follows warnings issued before and after Thanksgiving. RSV levels have been steadily increasing in Chicago for a few weeks now, while the number of flu cases has seen a more recent uptick.
In light of these developments, it has become even more critical for people to get vaccinated against COVID-19, flu, and, if eligible, RSV. Thankfully, free at-home COVID tests are available for every household in the United States via COVID.gov.
As Illinois faces this challenging situation, it is crucial that residents remain vigilant and adhere to the guidance provided by health officials to help curb the spread of respiratory viruses that pose a threat to public health.
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