The IDPH Announced That Effingham County is Now at a HIGH Covid-19 Community Level

Effingham, IL-(Effingham Radio)- The Effingham County Health Department (ECHD) announces 95 new cases of  COVID have been reported from Friday, July 22 through Thursday, July 28. Reinfections accounted for 22% of  cases this week; 57% of these reinfections had never received a vaccine or had just received one shot and only 14% were up to date with their vaccines. 

Positive case demographics for this week are as follows:  

The IDPH announced that Effingham County is now at a HIGH Covid-19 Community Level. This level  is due to the increase in COVID hospitalizations in our community, which now account for over 10% of  hospital admissions. While cases numbers have dropped, they are still very high and undercounted with the  access to home testing and those who do not test. Test positivity rate for our county is at 19%.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) makes the following recommendations for those  in a High-Level Community:

• Wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status (including in K-12  schools and other indoor community settings) 
• If you are immunocompromised or high risk for severe disease 

o Wear a mask or respirator that provides you with greater protection 

o Consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities in public where you could be exposed o Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to take other precautions (e.g.,  testing) 

o Have a plan for rapid testing if needed (e.g., having home tests or access to testing) o Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you are a candidate for treatments like  oral antivirals, PrEP, and monoclonal antibodies 

• If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for severe disease o consider self-testing to detect infection before contact 

o consider wearing a mask when indoors with them 

• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters 
• Maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces when possible 
• Follow CDC recommendations for isolation and quarantine, including getting tested if you are  exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19 

At all levels, people can wear a mask based on personal preference, informed by personal level of risk.  People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask. 

Remember, the more steps you use, the increased level of protection you are creating for yourself. Stay  up to date with your COVID vaccinations and boosters. People who are up to date on vaccines have much lower  risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 compared with unvaccinated people. 

Free Covid Testing Center is available in the White Hoop Building by the Effingham County Health  Department, 901 W Virginia Ave, Effingham. Clinic hours have been expanded to Monday through Friday from  9 to Noon and in the afternoon from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Testing is still drive-through. 

ECHD asks people that need testing to drive into the White Hooped Building and to then call the Health  Department on 217-342-9237 and to choose the Covid Testing Call Option. A member of the testing team will  then come out to the White Hoop Building for you. 

• No insurance is required for these free tests.  
• This service is available to anyone seeking testing.  
• For ages 5+.  
• No appointment or physician order required.  
• Rapid results the same day. 
• Rapid tests while supplies last. 
• PCR results take 2-3 days. 
• Drive-through 
• There will be no testing on days the Health Department is closed.  

Whether you need a first dose of COVID vaccine or a booster dose, you can also call the Effingham  County Health Department on 217-342-9237 and choose the CLINIC option to speak to someone who can  check your eligibility and book your appointment.