Vermilion County maintains at HIGH Transmission Level for new cases of COVID19 with 192.72 new cases per 100,000 in the last 7 days. Due to the HIGH transmission status, it is recommended that everyone, despite vaccination, should wear a mask when indoors. Over the weekend, we
Layers of Prevention
I’ve been hearing a lot of chatter from the community on vaccinations and masks and the fact that we are now recommending masking for all. The Delta Variant changes the status quo, but in reality, both masking and vaccinations are working. There is still a lot of disinformation out there that masks hurt people (not true), vaccinations were rushed (not true), and all the other conspiracy theories. Masking, IN ADDITION TO other preventative measures, is what works. Just like driving or riding in a vehicle, wearing your seatbelt is 1 safety measure in preventing injury or death. Add airbags, car seats, crumple zones, and additional ride down measures (the time it takes your body to come to a complete stop in a car crash), and your chance of survival or reduced injury is better. Nothing is 100%, but when you add layers of prevention measures, the efficacy increases. Since January 1st, 2021, we have had about 4500 new cases of COVID19 and only about 1% of those cases have been fully vaccinated.
Here are some truthful facts to share:
- Healthcare providers have been wearing masks for extended period of times for years with no adverse health reactions. There is no risk of hypoxia, which is lower levels of oxygen levels, in healthy individuals. Carbon dioxide will freely diffuse through your mask as you breathe.
- The vaccinations followed the necessary protocol for safety and efficacy. When you have unlimited funds and resources and ample disease, it doesn’t take as long to go through the process.
- The vaccination will not change your DNA…that is not how vaccines work. No, the vaccination cannot shed the virus as it is not a live or weakened version of the virus.
Please continue to encourage our community to get vaccinated, get tested, stay home when they are sick and mask. Vaccination is the path out of this pandemic. Each time a virus duplicates itself is another chance for a new variant. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much to overwhelm our hospital systems and our region continues to see an increase in hospitalizations.
School Information
- IDPH updated their school guidance yesterday, here is the latest: http://www.dph.illinois.gov/sites/default/files/08.02.21%20ISBE_School_FAQs.pdf
- CDC and IDPH is recommending that all (vaccinated or not) students and staff wear a mask in schools. If we begin to see a downfall in new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths again, then hopefully those recommendations will be relaxed again. It is important and more effective to have layers of prevention measures in place.
- We have Shield testing at VCHD every Wednesday from 11-3 available for students and staff. You can also look at page 5 of the above PDF to have Shield Testing at your school.
- Please look at page 7 – page 10, as there are now more options for kids to remain in class if exposed. If you are practicing the recommended prevention measures, more kids will remain in class!! Look at option 4, as it is a fantastic way to keep our kids in school even if they have been exposed. It is critical for our kids to keep them in school.
Testing Updates
- Shield Saliva COVID19 Testing will be at the Health Department every Wednesday
- Time: 11am-3pm (Appointments are recommended, but not required – you can make an appointment by clicking on the link and then using the QR code - https://vchd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Saliva-Testing-Flyer.png )
- Testing is FREE and is a PCR test
- You should not eat or drink anything an hour prior to your test.
Vaccine Updates
We have a Johnson and Johnson clinic tomorrow, August 4th from 10-12! Registration is recommended, but not required: https://vchd.org/
Upcoming Clinics at the Health Department will be:
- August 4th (Johnson and Johnson ONLY from 10-12) Walk-ins no later than 11:30.
- August 11th (Moderna from 10-12) Walk-ins no later than 11:30.
- September 8th (Moderna from 10-12) Walk-ins no later than 11:30.
We are not currently able to do any agency onsite clinics due to limited staff availability. If you would like to set up an on-site clinic at your location, IEMA has partnered with IDPH and the Illinois National Guard to bring in mobile teams. They have come to multiple agencies already here in Vermilion County. Here is the contact information:
Ernesto Drouet EMA.V.Ernesto.Drouet@Illinois.gov
Covid-19 Vaccination Site Coordinator
Tasked to IDPH Community Partner Vaccination Efforts
Tasked at IEMA SEOC for Mass Vaccination Planning.
IDPH and IEMA representative for Mass Vaccination efforts
State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC)
Illinois Emergency Management Agency
There are also plenty of locations that are offering vaccines currently including our local hospitals (OSF, Carle, and the VA), pharmacies, Aunt Martha’s, and some private providers.
Regional Metrics (as of August 3rd, 2021)
For updates to vaccine numbers and regional metrics, please visit http://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/vaccinedata?county=Vermilion or http://www.dph.illinois.gov/regionmetrics?regionID=6. The state updates these numbers at noon on Mondays-Fridays.
Region 6 – 6.0% positivity rate (7 day rolling average)
Vermilion County – 8% positivity rate (7 day rolling average)
Vermilion County – 5.5% daily positivity rate on 7/31/2021
ICU availability – 31%
Patient increases – 10 out of the last 10 days
