![]() Under the guidance distributed today, healthcare facilities are advised to follow CDC guidance and implement facility-wide masking in counties that have high levels of COVID-19 hospitalizations. “We are most concerned with healthcare facilities in counties with elevated respiratory virus transmission and hospitalization levels and recommend masking in patient care areas, especially in emergency departments and areas caring for patients who are immunocompromised.” “With the alarming rise in respiratory viruses we are seeing across the state and the country, IDPH is recommending healthcare facilities take precautions to reduce the spread of these viruses and protect their patients, staffs and visitors,” said IDPH Director Dr. The percent of positive lab tests for flu and COVID-19 have been rising for three consecutive weeks. COVID-19 is causing the most hospitalizations among respiratory viruses, however hospitalizations are also rising steadily for flu and RSV. RSV is causing a heavy burden of pediatric hospitalizations and the percent of lab tests that are positive for RSV have been rising for 10 consecutive weeks. IDPH also tracks ED visits and hospitalizations for Flu and RSV. ![]() Statewide, 1,225 new COVID-19 hospitalizations were reported, up 22% over the previous week. Another 41 counties are at medium level for COVID-19 hospitalizations during the period, with between 10 and 20 COVID hospitalizations per 100,000. That means they have seen more than 20 COVID-19 hospitalizations per 100,000 population in the last week. The number of counties listed at HIGH level for COVID-19 hospitalizations has doubled from five to ten Illinois counties in the center of the state including Sangamon, according to the CDC’s national COVID Data Tracker, as of the week ending December 2. IDPH supports CDC’s recommendation of facility-wide masking at healthcare facilities that are in counties rated at high level for COVID-19 hospitalizations or per facility discretion in areas where data shows elevated transmission of other respiratory viruses such as flu and RSV, even if COVID-19 hospitalization levels are not high in those areas. The department has issued a health alert today to hospitals, long-term care facilities, and local health departments outlining various mitigation measures such as the use of masking and screening, especially in areas where more vulnerable patients are treated. ![]() CHICAGO – With 51 counties, or half the counties in Illinois, now at a medium or high level for COVID-19 hospitalizations, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is advising healthcare facilities to step up mitigation efforts to minimize the spread of respiratory viruses.
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