The Knox County Unified Command is announcing 205 new cases of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), between Tuesday, September 21, 2021, and Monday, September 27, 2021. According to IDPH the total positive cases in Knox County is 6,813. Due to federal privacy restriction, release of any additional information is prohibited. To date there have been 166 COVID-19 related deaths.
The health department reminds residents to self-monitor daily for any of the following symptoms: fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, loss of taste/smell, extreme fatigue, abdominal discomfort, headaches, and muscle aches. This list is not all inclusive. Please contact your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning. Curbside testing for COVID-19 is open to anyone, regardless of symptoms, please call the Knox Community Health Center at 309-344-2225 to schedule an appointment. Call early as the Health Center may have same day appointments open.
The Knox County Health Department urges all residents to continue wearing face-coverings and practice social distancing when in public, for the health and safety of our community.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Knox County has fully vaccinated 50.04% of our population. According to the Jurisdiction-Specific Age Demographics 31.57% of our 12–17-year old’s have been fully vaccinated.
COVID-19 vaccines are widely available, with Unified Command Vaccine Center Clinics planned as follows:
· Thursday, September 30th at the Unified Command Vaccine Center 8:30am-10:30am Moderna & Janssen (18 years of age and up)
· Tuesday, October 5th at the Unified Command Vaccine Center 1:30pm-3:30pm Pfizer & Janssen (12 years of age and up)
· Thursday, October 7th at the Unified Command Vaccine Center 8:30am-10:30am Moderna & Janssen (18 years of age and up)
Third dose vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) are now being administered to those who self-attest to being immune-compromised and those on immunosuppressant therapy at ALL Knox County Unified Vaccine Clinics and events. Third dose vaccines must be given at least 28 days after the second dose. The additional vaccine dose should be the same as the initial two-dose vaccine
Following federal guidance, the health department will also be administering the Pfizer Booster vaccine to qualified individuals at least 6 months after their Pfizer primary series. The CDC recommends:
- people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings.
- people aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions
Additionally, CDC recommends the following groups may be considered for boosters.
- people aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions and
- people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting.
People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting a booster dose is appropriate for them.
The Health Department continues to offer Curbside COVID-19 Testing on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; appointments are made same day by calling
309-344-2225 beginning at 7:15 a.m. Additionally, health care providers in the community are offering testing options as well as local pharmacies.
Credible sources for information about COVID-19 include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov and Illinois Department of Public Health www.dph.illinois.gov. For general questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931, email dph.sick@illinois.gov or call your Knox County Health Department at 309-344-2224 or email covid19@knoxcountyhealth.org.
***Report Courtesy of the Knox County Health Department***
