Grundy County provides COVID-19 update

MORRIS – The Grundy County Health Department provided information Tuesday about vaccination efforts, cases, county and regional metrics.

Vaccination

Illinois Department of Public Health data shows that about 54% of Grundy County’s eligible population (age 12 and older) is fully vaccinated, or 46.3% of the county’s population.

the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that people who are immunocompromised may consider obtaining a third dose after consulting with a physician. Included in the CDC’s recommendation are people with a range of conditions, such as recipients of organ or stem cell transplants, people with advanced or untreated HIV infection, active recipients of treatment for cancer, people who are taking some medications that weaken the immune system, and others.

The CDC does not recommend additional doses or booster shots for any other population at this time. More direction is forthcoming regarding boosters, and the Grundy County Health Department has begun assessing local resources to determine how these will be offered.

Vaccination efforts continue through the Grundy County Health Department and local retail pharmacies.

Appointments for Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson are available each week through the Grundy County Health Department. Appointments may be scheduled by calling 815-941-3404.

Cases

To date, the total number of positive cases in Grundy County is 6,732, with 80 residents who have died as a result of COVID-19 complications. The Grundy County Health Department currently is following 78 people who have tested positive and are in isolation, along with each of their close contacts.

Grundy County, like most of Illinois, remains at an “orange” warning level this week, according to the IDPH. Orange indicates there are warning signs of increased COVID-19 risk in the community. Below are the updated metrics for Grundy County:

• New cases per 100,000: The number of new cases per 100,000 people in Grundy County last week was 251, down from 314 the previous week.

• Number of deaths: The number of deaths in Grundy County last week was one, up from zero previous week.

• Test positivity percentage: The test positivity percentage in Grundy County last week was 9%, down from 12.5% the previous week.

• Tests performed: The number of tests performed in Grundy County last week was 1,669, up from 1,449 the previous week.

• Emergency department visits for COVID-19-like illness: The percentage of COVID-19-like illness visits to the emergency department among adults in Grundy County last week was 9.6%, down from 10% the previous week.

• Number of COVID-19-like illness admissions: The number of COVID-19-like illnesses admitted to the hospital in Grundy County last week was 13, up from fewer than five the previous week.

• Clusters: The percentage of cases that were caused by clusters in Grundy County last week was 1%, up from 0.8% the previous week.

• Intensive care unit bed availability: The percentage of ICU beds available in Grundy County last week was 19.9%, down from 21.6% the previous week.

According to the CDC, the level of community transmission for all of Illinois, including Grundy County, is high. Therefore, the CDC recommends that unvaccinated and fully vaccinated people continue to wear a mask in public indoor settings. It is also recommended that unvaccinated and vulnerable people consider avoiding crowded outdoor gatherings, or mask while in crowded outdoor spaces.

Residents may visit the Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers webpage at morrishospital.org to learn the latest information about Morris Hospital hospitalizations, test positivity, testing locations and visiting guidelines.