Effingham County Health Department Announces One COVID-Related Death, 68 New Positive Cases

Effingham, IL-(Effingham Radio)- The Effingham County Health Department (ECHD) announces the COVID-related death of a county resident, the individual was in their 70s and unvaccinated.  

Since August 1, 2021 there have been 64 confirmed COVID-related deaths in our county, of these deaths: 42 were not vaccinated (66%). Out of these 42 deaths, 8 were under the age of 65, and 34 deaths were aged 65 and over.  

Currently 88% (5,318) of seniors in our county have completed the first series of vaccine, of these 4,031 have received at least one booster. COVID vaccines are effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and even dying—especially people who are boosted. Only 7 of the deaths in the last year were up to date with their vaccines. 

(Please note, deaths from the period above are still being investigated so these numbers may increase.)  

ECHD also announces 68 new cases of COVID have been reported from Friday, July 29 through Thursday, August 4. Of the 68 cases, only 14.5% were up to date with their vaccines, 54.5% had never received any vaccines and a further 4.5% had only received one vaccine. Once again reinfections accounted for over 25% of cases; 67% of these reinfections had never received a vaccine, and only 11% were up to date with their vaccines.

Positive case demographics for this week are as follows:  

Effingham County remains at a HIGH Covid-19 Community Level, this is due to the level of COVID hospitalizations in our community, which again account for over 10% of hospital admissions. While case  numbers have dropped, they are still very high and undercounted due to access to home testing and those who do not test. Test positivity rate for our county is at 15.5%.  

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 
• Wear a mask or respirator that provides you with greater protection 
• 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) 
• 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 
• 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 a much lower risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 compared with unvaccinated people. So, whether you need a first dose of COVID vaccine or a booster dose, you can 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. 

Free Covid Testing Center is also 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.