The Knox County Unified Command is announcing 211 new cases of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), between Monday, December 20, 2021, and Sunday, December 26, 2021. According to Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) the total positive cases in Knox County is 8,610. Due to federal privacy restriction, release of any additional information is prohibited. To date there have been 182 COVID-19 related deaths.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Knox County has administered 66,015 COVID-19 vaccines and 27,124 (54.13%) county residents have been fully vaccinated. Knox County has administered 11,390 booster doses. According to the Jurisdiction-Specific Age Demographics 36.33% of our 12–17-year old’s have been fully vaccinated and 7.49% of our 5–11-year old’s have been fully vaccinated.
Given the increase in community transmission and spike in cases, the Knox County Health Department is encouraging everyone who is showing symptoms or has been exposed to someone with COVID to be tested. Those who are exposed to the coronavirus should be tested five to seven days after exposure, even if they are not showing symptoms. The Health Department will offer Curbside COVID-19 Testing on Monday and Wednesday this week 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.
The Knox County Health Department is following the IDPH and Food and Drug Administration’s decision to expand recommendations for COVID-19 booster shots to now include everyone ages 16 years and older. Only the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is authorized and recommended for adolescents 16 and 17, this population is now recommended to get a booster shot at least 6 months after completing their primary vaccination series. It is recommended that anyone 18 years and older get a COVID-19 booster dose six months after receiving their second Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. There are two vaccination clinics remaining this month at the Unified Command Vaccine Center, former Bergner’s building in Galesburg. All Clinics are for those 12 and older. The registration link can be found at www.knoxcountyhealth.org:
· Tuesday, December 28th at the Vaccine Center 1:00pm-4:00pm. Clinic offers primary series, additional doses, and boosters of Moderna for adults 18 years and up and Pfizer boosters for those 16 years and up. Pfizer primary series is available to those 12 years of age and up.
· Thursday, December 30th at the Vaccine Center 8:30am-11:30am. Clinic offers primary series, additional doses, and boosters of Moderna for adults 18 years and up and Pfizer boosters for those 16 years and up. Pfizer primary series is available to those 12 years of age and up.
· Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at the Vaccine Center 1:30pm-3:30pm. Clinic offers primary series, additional doses, and boosters of Moderna for adults 18 years and up and Pfizer boosters for those 16 years and up. Pfizer primary series is available to those 12 years of age and up.
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***
