Kendall County Health Department enters new phase in battle with COVID-19

YORKVILLE – The Kendall County Health Department is embarking on a new phase in its fight against the coronavirus.

COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 5 to 11, booster shots for qualifying seniors and front-line workers, along with third doses for the immune-compromised, are the new focus of the health department’s efforts to shield Kendall County residents from the worst of the pandemic.

Health Department Assistant Executive Director Steve Curatti told the Kendall County Board on Nov. 16 that 100 pediatric vaccination doses were administered on Nov. 10.

The health department, located at 811 W. John St. in the Kendall County government campus in Yorkville, is holding its pediatric clinic from 2 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays with 100 reservation slots available.

For adults, there are 96 openings from 3 to 6 p.m. on Thursdays and another 64 available from 9 to 11 a.m. on Fridays.

Those seeking vaccination doses for themselves or their children must register for an appointment on the health department’s website, Curatti said.

With many residents having received their first and second doses last winter and spring, the emphasis is now on providing the booster shots.

Curatti told county board members that the health department has ample supplies of the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, so people have the option to mix and match their booster doses.

Residents should contact the family physician before setting up an appointment for themselves or their children, Curatti said.

Board member Scott Gengler asked Curatti about people who are contracting COVID-19 even though they were vaccinated.

Curatti said breakthrough cases do occur, but tend to be milder than for those who have not been vaccinated.

“It is intended to mitigate against the symptoms,” Curatti said of the vaccine, adding that those who have been vaccinated are less likely to spread the infection.

While the new focus is on children, booster shots and third doses for the immune-compromised, the health department continues to administer first and second doses of the vaccine for those who waited.

Curatti noted that many adults are just now stepping forward to be vaccinated and attributed at least some of these cases to employer requirements.

Cases, test positivity rates trending upward

COVID-19 cases and test positivity rates recently began trending upward again in Kendall County.

The health department reported 289 new cases of the virus among county residents in its most recent weekly report issued Nov. 12.

The 289 new cases is an increase of 120 over the 169 new cases reported by the department in its weekly report issued Nov. 4.

In addition to the 289 new cases of the virus, the health department reported the deaths of two more county residents from COVID-19 in the Nov. 12 report. The death toll among county residents now stands at 118 since the onset of the virus in March 2020.

The test positivity rate for the virus among county residents also increased from 3.4% Nov. 4 to 5.6%, according to the Nov. 12 report.

“There are more opportunities for people to be congregating,” Curatti said, noting that the colder weather is bringing people indoors.

Some residents have been eager to get their booster shots, Curatti said, but advised that they need to wait until six months has passed since their second dose.

“Don’t get it too soon,” Currati said.

County board member Robyn Vickers said she has been receiving telephone calls from seniors seeking to schedule their booster appointments.

“It’s quite adorable,” Vickers said.

Currati said the best way to schedule an appointment is through the health department website, at kendallhealth.org, but said that those without internet access or who have difficulty using a computer may call 630-553-9100.