Illinois ending daily COVID reports
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois is ending its daily reporting of COVID-19 cases and deaths.
Starting Jan. 1, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will shift from daily reporting of new COVID-19 cases and deaths to a weekly data report on Wednesday of each week for the previous week ending Sunday. IDPH will continue to report ICU bed availability and hospital admission data on a daily basis.
As of Friday, Calhoun County and 32 other counties were at a High Community Level for COVID-19, down from 43 a week ago, accorduing to the IDPH. There were 55 counties — including Madison, Greene and Jersey counties — at Medium Level, compared to 43 last week.
The IDPH on Friday reported 23,793 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 and 82 related deaths in Illinois since Dec. 16.
“We are still seeing COVID-19 community levels, along with flu and other respiratory illnesses rise in many counties,” IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said. “Our goal is to limit hospitalizations, preserve hospital beds, and protect those most vulnerable to serious health outcomes, especially those over 65 and very young children.
“These preventative measures start with being up-to-date with the COVID-19 bivalent booster and getting your flu shot,” he said. “Other important protective steps include COVID-19 testing, especially if visiting someone at risk for severe disease; enhanced ventilation at gatherings; and good hand hygiene. And if you are sick, stay home and consult with your provider about whether you need one of the effective treatments that are available.
“A high-quality mask or respirator is also recommended and will protect you from COVID-19, the flu and other respiratory viruses,” he said. “Our hope is for Illinoisians across our state to have a happy and healthy holiday weekend.”
IDPH is offering 1 million free COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to Illinois residents in all zip codes outside of Chicago through a partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation’s public charity, RF Catalytic Capital and its Project ACT (Access COVID Tests) program. People can request a test package through the IDPH’s website.
Free or low cost COVID-19 testing locations are also available throughout the state.
To date, the IDPH has recorded 3,953,928 COVID-19 cases, including 35,714 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.
As of Thursday night, 1,814 people in Illinois were in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 184 were intensive care unit patients and 117 were on ventilators.
A total of 25,674,890 vaccines have been administered in Illinois.
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