April 25, 2024
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Kendall County COVID-19 cases remain on the rise while death toll holds at 100

Health department urging residents 12 and older to get vaccinated because of current higher level of risk

By John Etheredge

FILE PHOTO: West Aurora school district teacher Haylee Kalkman (left) received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at a mass vaccination event Feb. 7, 2021 at Yorkville High School. (Shea Lazansky)

The Kendall County Health Department reported 46 new cases of COVID-19 among county residents as of Thursday, July 22, the largest number of new cases reported by the department since May.

Meanwhile, the death toll among county residents from the virus over the past week remained at 100, according to health department data.

The 46 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by the health department Thursday is the most since May 20 when the department reported 87 new cases. Over the next eight weeks, the number of new cases among county residents reported by the health department each week had dropped on a weekly basis from 37 June 3, to 36 June 11, 20 on June 17, to a low of 15 on June 24. Since June 24, however, the number of new cases among county residents has trended upward, from 24 on July 2, to 33 on July 8, 32 on July 15, and 46 on July 22.

The test positivity rate for the virus among county residents has also been on the rise over the past month, according to health department data. The county’s test positivity rate dropped to a low of 0.7% June 17 and has risen steadily since then to 3.2% as of Thursday. The county’s test positivity rate peaked at 20.5% Nov. 18.

The percentage of county residents fully vaccinated as of July 22 stood at 50.71%, up slightly from the 50.17% reported by the health department July 15.

Transmission rate here at moderate level

In a news statement, the health department reported that transmission of the virus remains at a moderate level among county residents, but noted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is projecting that the Delta variant comprises more than 83% of new COVID-19 cases across the country and creates a higher level of risk for unvaccinated people.

As a result, the health department is urging unvaccinated residents 12 and older to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The health department, at 811 W. John Street in Yorkville, continues to offer free COVID-19 vaccines to individuals 12 and older. Walk-ins are welcome from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Fridays.

Anyone younger than 18 must have a parent or legal guardian accompany them and have proof of age. Residents are encouraged to save time by registering in advance for a vaccine appointment at kendallhealth.org.