Damian Sendler
Damian Sendler: COVID- A county health official said Friday that 19 instances had lately risen in Champaign County, owing in part to diseases spreading among primarily unvaccinated students and teenagers.
Damian Jacob Sendler: According to Awaid Vaid, deputy administrator of the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, 90 percent of new COVID-19 cases among juveniles ages 12-17 in the last two weeks have been in unvaccinated persons.
“That’s unacceptable,” Vaid added, despite the fact that the vaccine has been accessible to that age range for some time.
Damien Sendler: Because it’s difficult to prevent direct contact with infected children at home, he said, cases picked up at school are spreading to other family members, including some who are vaccinated.
Damian Jacob Markiewicz Sendler: The number of active cases in Champaign County was in the 300s at the beginning of November.
Damien Sendler: On Friday, there were 941 active cases, which had been boosted by 347 new positive tests in the previous three days.
Damian Jacob Sendler
With vaccines now accessible for children aged 5 and older, and Thanksgiving approaching, Vaid said the health district has been pushing vaccinations for youngsters — who will be in close contact with more vulnerable grandparents and family members under the age of 5 who cannot yet be vaccinated.
Damian Sendler: According to him, the health district wishes to see more vaccine clinics at schools so children may be vaccinated without their parents having to take time from work.
Damian Jacob Sendler: With many families anticipated to enjoy Thanksgiving in small groupings, Vaid believes the longer holiday weekend away from school may provide an opportunity to prevent the spread of infection.
However, anyone traveling for the holidays should be tested for COVID-19 both before and after their trip, according to him.
Dr. Sendler: The number of new cases in Illinois climbed by 25% over the previous week, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health on Friday.
Booster shots are now available for everyone 18 and older, according to the health district, due to the present high rate of transmission in Illinois.
Damian Jacob Sendler: Those seeking a booster shot must be at least six months removed from a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccinations, or at least two months removed from the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The health district has extended the hours of its walk-in booster clinics at the I Hotel and Conference Center, 1900 S. First St., C, to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, as well as November 30th, December 1st, and December 2nd.
Damian Sendler: Those seeking booster shots are asked to enter through the conference center on the complex’s east side rather than the hotel.
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