June 27, 2022 – According to the CDC, Macon County is now rated at High Community Level for COVID-19.
IDPH is reporting a total of 20 counties rated at High Community Level. Those include some of the counties around the Chicago metropolitan area, counties around Peoria and Champaign in central Illinois, and counties in Southern Illinois, as well as Macon County. An additional 47 counties throughout the state are now rated at Medium Community Level.
As oof last week, Macon County was rated at Medium Community Level, but due to increasing COVID-19 cases, the CDC changed the county’s metrics.
According to IDPH and the CDC, recommendations for the prevention of spread and infection include:
- Wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status (including in K-12 schools and other indoor community settings)
- If you are immunocompromised or high risk for severe disease
- Wear a mask or respirator that provides you with greater protection
- Consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities in public where you could be exposed
- If you are immunocompromised or high risk for severe disease
- Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions (e.g., testing)
- If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for severe disease
- consider self-testing to detect infection before contact
- consider wearing a mask when indoors with them
- Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters
- Maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces when possible
- Follow CDC recommendations for isolation and quarantine, including getting tested if you are exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19
- If you are immunocompromised or high risk for severe disease
- Have a plan for rapid testing if needed (e.g., having home tests or access to testing)
- Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you are a candidate for treatments like oral antivirals, PrEP, and monoclonal antibodies
Community level is determined by three metrics; new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 population in the past 7 days, the 7-day average percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients, and total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days.
