Residents of these two local counties face a higher risk level of COVID-19

Sangamon and Logan counties are among 14 Illinois counties now rated as having a medium COVID-19 risk level, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, in counties at the medium level, persons who are elderly or immunocompromised are advised to wear a mask in indoor public places. They also should make sure to get up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines or get their second booster.

The news comes as Sangamon County reported 100 new cases Friday, the first time since February the county has reported at least triple digits in single-day cases. Hospitalizations have not increased significantly. There were no new deaths reported Friday.

Outbreak: IDPH failed to intervene early during outbreak at veterans' home

The IDPH on Friday reported 30,633 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19. There have been 46 deaths from COVID-19 since April 29.

“The public should pay close attention to these rising Community Levels, but we would stress this not a cause for alarm,” said IDPH Acting Director Amaal Tokars. “People who are at risk of severe outcomes should exercise caution. And if someone does test positive, then they should consult with a health care provider about obtaining a prescription for one of the therapeutic treatments that are widely available. The treatments are much more effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths when they are taken early in the course of the illness.”

Tokars said it is not too late to get vaccinated.

"Vaccines are widely available, and everybody is welcome. If you need help finding a location near you, just go to www.vaccines.gov or call your local health department,” Tokars said.

Local schools: Elementary school principal named Administrator of the Year

While the CDC's warning system is non-binding, it is intended to provide a guide to people for what they should do when they go to places with large groups of people. Gail O'Neill, director of the Sangamon County Department of Public Health, said the new system helps provide people with a sense of the risk that COVID has on the community and how they can assess the current situation.

"Currently, with the amount of infection in the community, it has determined that there is a greater than low chance of being exposed or getting sick from the variants of COVID," O'Neill said.

With the increased level of risk, O'Neill said people should use caution when planning events for the next few weeks, particularly ones with elderly individuals and those who are immunocompromised. In addition, she recommends people return to wearing masks – even if it is unpopular.

"I think it is a good idea," O'Neill said. "It's not a popular idea, but having the mask helps you think about the number of people and how close you are to others. It's not a bad idea to (wear) the mask, to wash hands a lot – which is a good infection control – and if you are at all sick, to stay home."

The other 12 counties at the medium level are Champaign, Cook, DeKalb, Douglas, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, McLean, Will and Winnebago.

As of Thursday night, 808 individuals in Illinois were reported to be hospitalized with COVID-19. Of those, 66 patients were in the ICU and 24 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators. The preliminary seven-day statewide case rate is 240 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 Illinoisans.

IDPH is reporting a total of 3,169,315 cases, including 33,660 deaths, in 102 counties since the beginning of the pandemic.

Precautions suggested by state for those at high-risk

State health officials are stressing the following precautions for those who are at high risk for serious illness:

• Get vaccinated and stay up-to-date on recommended booster shots.

• Those in an area with rising COVID-19 infections should wear a mask if entering indoor spaces with other people present. Consider avoiding large gatherings.

• Stick to well-ventilated areas if not wearing a mask indoors around other people.

• If flu-like symptoms are felt, self-isolate and stay home from work as well as social gatherings; and obtain a test as quickly as possible.

• Those testing positive should talk to their provider immediately so they can get COVID-19 treatment within five days of starting to feel sick. Also, they should communicate about the positive result with any persons they have been in close contact within two days of falling sick or testing positive.

• Continue to frequently wash hands and cover coughs and sneezes.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Sangamon, Logan counties rated as having medium COVID-19 risk level