Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has reported an increase in respiratory illnesses, moving the state's level from Low to Moderate. This uptick coincides with holiday gatherings, increasing the risk of exposure to seasonal illnesses such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV.

Hospital admissions for these illnesses have risen as a percentage of all hospital admissions for the week ending December 14, 2024. Emergency department visits due to respiratory issues increased from 13.8% to 14.7%, with ICU admissions for RSV notably rising among children aged 0-4 years.

Dr. Sameer Vohra, IDPH Director, stated: “As expected, Illinois is experiencing an increase in seasonal respiratory illnesses as winter arrives.” He emphasized the importance of using available tools to protect vulnerable groups during the holidays. "The best protection from severe illness caused by COVID-19, flu and RSV remains the highly effective vaccines that are widely available," Dr. Vohra added.

To ensure safe gatherings, hosts are advised to improve indoor ventilation and encourage good hygiene practices among guests. For those unvaccinated, officials note it's not too late to get vaccinated as it takes about two weeks for full protection.

IDPH has published new FAQ documents on its website with guidance on vaccinations and testing for seasonal illnesses. The CDC also offers a Respiratory Illness Data Channel providing county-specific information useful for travelers.

New vaccines approved by the FDA and CDC include updates for COVID-19 and flu shots recommended for individuals over six months old. The RSV vaccine is advised for people aged 75 and older unless they received one last winter.

Those feeling ill should isolate when possible or wear masks around others if unable to self-isolate. Anti-viral treatments are available but must be administered quickly after symptom onset; prescriptions are necessary.

COVID-19 treatments require initiation within five to seven days of symptoms appearing, especially important for those over 65 or at high risk. Flu antivirals work best within 48 hours of symptom onset and require a prescription; vulnerable groups should seek medical advice promptly.

Free COVID-19 tests can be located via the federal ICATT program's testing locator or ordered online through covidtests.gov. Vaccines are accessible at pharmacies, hospitals, and community health clinics; appointments can be scheduled online through major pharmacy chains.

For assistance finding vaccine providers nearby or options for uninsured residents, resources like www.vaccines.gov and IDPH’s Vaccine Locator Dashboard are available.