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A sharp rise in the number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 among Kendall County residents is continuing.
On Thursday, Sept. 9, the county health department reported in the agency’s weekly COVID-19 update that 449 new cases of the virus have been confirmed among county residents over the past week.
The 449 new cases is 200 more than the 249 new confirmed cases reported by the department in their previous weekly report issued Sept. 2.
Mirroring state and nationwide trends, the number of new COVID-19 cases among county residents has risen dramatically over the summer due, according to health experts, to the rapid spread of the virus’ Delta variant. In a weekly report released June 24, the health department reported just 15 new cases. But the new case numbers have risen on a near-weekly basis since then to 46 July 22, 137 Aug. 5, 217 Aug. 12 and 249 Sept. 2.
On the positive side, the health department reported no new deaths from the virus over the past week and the test positivity rate for the virus among county residents fell from 9.1% Sept. 2 to 6.7%.
The health department has reported 103 deaths due to COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic in March of 2020.
The health department also reported that 77,687 county residents are now fully vaccinated for COVID-19. That total represents 55.26% of the county’s population.
In a prior statement, health department officials noted that three COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized in the U.S. continue to be effective against the virus, including the Delta variant, but cases of the virus are rapidly spreading among the unvaccinated.
“The delta variant is spreading twice as easily from person to person as previous strains, making vaccinations even more important. According to the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention], data show the Delta variant is much more contagious. Delta spreads more than twice as easily from one person to another compared to other strains. According to CDC, the delta variant is causing some vaccine breakthrough infections, but even so, most breakthrough infections are mild, and the vaccines are preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death,” the statement said.
“We know masking can help prevent transmission of COVID-19 and its variants. Until more people are vaccinated, we join CDC in recommending everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask indoors in areas of substantial and high transmissions, and in K-12 schools,” the statement said.
Free vaccinations available
The health department continues to offer free COVID-19 vaccinations at clinics Thursday evenings and Friday mornings at 811 W. John Street, Yorkville. Both appointments and walk-ins are welcome. Visit kendallhealth.org/community-health/covid-19-vaccine/ for scheduling and information.