The Knox County Unified Command is announcing 529 new cases of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), between Monday, December 27, 2021, and Sunday, January 2, 2022. According to Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) the total positive cases in Knox County is 9,139. Due to federal privacy restriction, release of any additional information is prohibited. To date there have been 184 COVID-19 related deaths.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Knox County has administered 66,955 COVID-19 vaccines and 27,252 (54.38%) county residents have been fully vaccinated. Knox County has administered 12,015 booster doses. According to the Jurisdiction-Specific Age Demographics 41.18% of our 12–17-year old’s have been fully vaccinated and 14% of our 5–11-year old’s have been fully vaccinated.
Public Information Officer, Erin Olson states, “This virus has put many at extreme risk of severe health impacts, significant financial hardship, or both. Please keep your loved ones, friends, neighbors, colleagues, acquaintances, and those you have not yet met as your top priorities. We encourage everyone who is showing symptoms for or has been exposed to someone with COVID to be tested. For all those exposed, best practice would also include a test for SARS-CoV-2 at day 5 after exposure, even if they are not showing symptoms. We continue working together to find safe ways to move all areas of our lives safely and responsibly past this virus. We continue to be All in this together and it will continue to take all our collective efforts.
The Health Department will offer Curbside COVID-19 Testing on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday’s, weather permitting, 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, 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.
· Thursday, January 6th 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 11th Walk-in Booster Clinic at the Unified Command Vaccine Center 7:30am-11:30am. Boosters of Moderna for adults 18 years and up and Pfizer boosters for those 16 years and up.
· Tuesday, January 11th, 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.
The Knox County Health Department urges all residents, for the health and safety of our community, to continue wearing face-coverings, practice social distancing, and stay home when you are ill.
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***
