The U.S. is confronted with an ever-growing surplus of COVID-19 vaccines, looming expiration dates and stubbornly lagging demand at a time when the developing world is clamoring for doses to stem a rise in infections
As of Wednesday, DeKalb County reports more than 38%, or nearly 40,000 people out of the 104,000 countywide population, are fully vaccinated against the virus. With that in mind, local health officials said they support the plan to fully reopen Friday.
And here’s why vaccination really is the best defense
Day 1 of Phase 5 in Illinois began with the state reaching a new pandemic-low for COVID-19 hospitalizations. In addition, 5.7 million Illinois residents are now fully vaccinated.
Pfizer and BioNTech are holding clinical trials of their COVID-19 vaccine in younger children, but it’s unlikely to be approved before classes begin in the fall.
Illinois fully reopens on Friday. Hospitalizations and COVID-19 positivity rate are at their lowest since the beginning of the pandemic, and 5.6 million Illinois residents are fully vaccinated.
The Sauk Valley administered an additional 318 coronavirus vaccine doses Wednesday, and 196 more people became fully vaccinated.
State health officials announced Wednesday that COVID-19 testing will expand to elementary schools across Illinois, with tests provided free of charge to low-income schools or for $10 per test to other schools.
Illinois has a new pandemic low for its COVID-19 positivity rate: Down to 1.0%. The state reopens on Friday.