January 12, 2024 – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that in line with the national trend, the state’s overall respiratory illness level has ticked up from Moderate to High, driven by an expected early winter jump in hospital admissions.
IDPH’s Seasonal Respiratory Illness Dashboard indicates that emergency department (ED) visits for Acute Respiratory Illness topped 21% in the week ending December 28, up from 17% the previous week. During the same period, the number of ED visits for flu more than doubled to 6.2% from 3% while ED visits for COVID-19 were at 2%, up from 1.5%.
With respiratory illnesses on the upswing last month, IDPH issued a health alert to hospitals and healthcare facilities recommending that they take note of local conditions and consider targeted steps to mitigate the circulation of seasonal illnesses. These could include visitor restrictions and source control through measures like masking.
“The New Year has arrived, and Illinois is experiencing the expected winter surge in seasonal respiratory illnesses,”said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “It is now more important than ever to use the many tools at our disposal to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. The most effective tool remains vaccinations for flu, COVID-19, and RSV. It is not too late to get your vaccines, as the seasonal respiratory season can extend late into the spring.
“Other effective tools to prevent exposure to respiratory illnesses include enhanced ventilation, good hand hygiene, and a well-fitting mask,” Dr. Vohra continued. “These tools may be valuable to all our Illinois residents but are especially important for those most at risk including individuals over 65, individuals with chronic medical conditions, and individuals who are immunocompromised.”
Director Vohra recommended that anyone who is feeling symptoms of respiratory illness – such as a fever, runny nose, sore throat or cough – consider getting tested and treated early in the course of their illness, especially if they are at risk for serious illness or spreading it to someone who is at risk of serious illness. Treatments for Flu and COVID-19 are most effective when they are given early in the course of the illness. Those who are ill should avoid spreading germs to others by self-isolating (i.e. staying away from others when they are ill) or wearing a mask if unable to isolate.
For those who are unvaccinated, public health officials note that it’s not too late to get vaccinated. It takes about two weeks for vaccinations to provide their full level of protection. Getting shots now will offer protection through the cold and flu season that lasts into the spring.
