Due to our HIGH transmission status, it is recommended that everyone, despite vaccination, should wear a mask when indoors. Transmission locally has increased to 427.68 new cases per 100,000 over the last week.
Booster Shots
At this time, FDA and CDC did approve the boosters for COVID19. The Boosters for COVID19 are mainly for certain immunocompromised individuals and those who took the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Once guidance has been given with more specific information, we will inform the public on next steps. Until we receive guidance, we will not be administering any booster shots.
School Updates( http://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/schoolfaqs<http://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/schoolfaqs>)
I wanted to get clarification on a couple things from the state about school testing options. I received my answers today.
* Beginning on page 7 of the above FAQs Download, students and staff have options to stay in school or get back to school sooner if they have exposures.
* For Option 3, if the school has universal masking, they can use the 7-day quarantine option for close contacts as long as they are asymptomatic and get tested on day 6 or after.
* For option 4, at home tests are not allowed for test to stay.
* I also asked about masks for schools as stated by the Governor in his announcement and they said IDPH would be supplying schools with masks. However, there is no timeline for that yet. When I hear something, I will let you know immediately.
COVID19 Treatment – Information only
After speaking to one of our local family care physicians, they suggested that I include some information about resources available to some of our population if they do test positive for COVID19. I had them do a write up for me since I am not a medical person and I wanted to make sure I was giving you correct information. I would refer any questions to a healthcare provider.
MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY THERAPY FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED COVID 19 PATIENTS
People who are exposed to Covid 19, or who have symptoms for Covid 19 should be tested promptly. For those who test positive for COVID-19, there is specific lifesaving treatment available. This treatment is called monoclonal antibody therapy. It can be given promptly in an outpatient setting through an IV over about an hour. Monoclonal antibody therapy has been shown to prevent hospitalization and prevent death in people who are newly diagnosed, within the first few days of their illness.
This therapy is readily available locally, in an outpatient setting, both in Urbana and in Hoopeston. It requires a doctor's order. The strategy is to be tested as soon as symptoms develop, so, if positive and you meet criteria, the therapy is available to you in a timely way.
The therapy is given as an outpatient and is indicated specifically for people who have symptoms that do not require hospitalization. This is particularly important in our situation where hospital beds and intensive care unit beds are becoming scarce.
Eligibility criteria for adults 18 or older are actually quite liberal and are as follows:
Any one of the following:
1. Age greater than 65.
1. Anyone whose body mass index is more than 35. (40% of Vermilion County residents fit this category).
1. Chronic kidney disease.
1. Diabetes.
1. Conditions which suppress your immune system
1. Medications which may suppress your immune response.
In addition, people 55 or older are eligible if there is history of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, or chronic lung disease are also eligible
Children with immunosuppressive disease 12 and older are also eligible
Anyone who thinks they meet criteria should request that their provider refer them for Monoclonal Antibody therapy. Time is of the essence since to be effective treatment should begin in the early stages of the illness.
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 registering: You do need a text number and an email address to receive your results. https://shieldilportal.pointnclick.com/login_login.aspx<https://shieldilportal.pointnclick.com/login_login.aspx>
* To register, you will need the Agency Code: df5brbrj
* Testing is FREE and is a PCR test
* They are no longer requesting that you cannot eat or drink prior to getting tested.
Vaccine Updates
Check our website for upcoming J and J and Moderna Clinics: www.vchd.org<http://www.vchd.org>
Upcoming Clinics outside VCHD
Through EMA, Danville Mass Transit will have a 2nd Dose ONLY Pfizer Vaccine Clinic on August 23rd from 10am-2pm at their location on 101 N. Hazel St. in Danville.
For questions, please contact Lisa Beith at 217-431-3461
This is a great opportunity!!
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 can bring in a mobile team. They have come to multiple agencies already here in Vermilion County. Here is the contact information or you can fill out a Vaccine Clinic Application: http://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/vaccinationclinics<http://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/vaccinationclinics>
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 13th, 2021)
For updates to vaccine numbers and regional metrics, please visit http://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/vaccinedata?county=Vermilion<http://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/vaccinedata?county=Vermilion> or http://www.dph.illinois.gov/regionmetrics?regionID=6<http://www.dph.illinois.gov/regionmetrics?regionID=6>. The state updates these numbers at noon on Mondays-Fridays.
Region 6 – 7.8% positivity rate (7 day rolling average)
Vermilion County – 11.3% positivity rate (7 day rolling average)
Vermilion County – 12.1% daily positivity rate on 8/10/2021
Region 6 ICU availability – 23%
Region 6 Patient increases – 10 out of the last 10 days
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Vermilion County Vaccination Counts (As of August 13th, 2021) http://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/vaccinedata?county=Vermilion<http://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/vaccinedata?county=Vermilion>
Total Number of Vaccinations Administered (includes 12+): 47,864
Total Number of Vermilion County Residents FULLY vaccinated (includes 12+): 25,630
Percentage of Vermilion County’s TOTAL Population who are FULLY vaccinated: 33.37%
Percentage of those who are 65+ and have at least 1 dose: 71.75%
Percentage and Number of those who are 65+ that are fully vaccinated: 68.60% / 10,191
Percentage of those who are ages 18-64 and have at least 1 dose: 37.63%
Percentage and Number of those who are 18-64 that are fully vaccinated: 33.73% / 14,795
Percentage of those who are 12-17 and have at least 1 dose: 15.52%
Percentage and Number of those who are ages 12-17 that are fully vaccinated: 10.61% / 644
Vermilion County Case Counts (as of 8/13)
We added 71 new cases and released 38. 19 cases under the age of 20, 36 cases between the ages of 20-49, and 16 cases between the ages of 50-79. 12 of our new cases were fully vaccinated, with 1 who is hospitalized. We also had an additional death, a gentleman in his 90s. The last time we had over 300 active cases was earlier this year in February.
Active Cases: 320
Hospitalizations: 18 (5.6% of active cases)
Total Cases (beginning March, 2020): 10,720
Total Released / Recovered: 10,254
Total Deaths: 156
Variant Case Information
Variants found in Vermilion County:
* B.1.1.7 (Alpha)
* B.1.351 (Beta)
* B.1.617.2 (Delta)
* B.1.617.3
* P.1 (Gamma)
* P.1.1
Total Number of Known Delta Variant (B.1.617.2) Cases in Vermilion County (all unvaccinated): 27
Total Number of Known Fully Vaccinated Variant Cases: 5 / 102
* B.1.1.7 (2)
* P.1 (2)
* P.1.1 (1)
You can also visit our COVID19 page on our website for more information on numbers, as I update those numbers on a daily basis, except on weekends. https://vchd.org/covid-19/<https://vchd.org/covid-19/>
