The Knox County Unified Command is announcing 1,082 new cases of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), between Monday, January 3, 2022, and Sunday, January 9, 2022. According to Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) the total positive cases in Knox County is 10,221. Due to federal privacy restriction, release of any additional information is prohibited. To date there have been 186 COVID-19 related deaths.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Knox County has administered 67,903 COVID-19 vaccines and 27,382 (54.64%) county residents have been fully vaccinated. Knox County has administered 12,640 booster doses. According to the Jurisdiction-Specific Age Demographics 36.95% of our 12–17-year old’s have been fully vaccinated and 9.29% of our 5–11-year old’s have been fully vaccinated.
Public Information Officer, Erin Olson states, “Layering protective measures, including masking, handwashing, physical distancing, and testing help to reduce transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Testing before and after travel and large gatherings is advised.”
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 18 years and older. Only the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is authorized and recommended for adolescents 12 years and older, this population is now recommended to get a booster shot at least 5 months after completing their primary vaccination series. It is recommended that anyone 18 years and older get a COVID-19 booster dose 5 months after receiving their second Moderna vaccines.
COVID-19 vaccines are widely available, registration links can be found at www.knoxcountyhealth.org:
· 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 12 years and up.
· Tuesday, January 11th, at the Unified Command 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 12 years and up. Pfizer primary series is available to those 12 years of age and up.
· Thursday, January 13th at the Unified Command Vaccine Center 8:30am-10:30am. Boosters of Moderna for adults 18 years and up and Pfizer boosters for those 12 years and up.
· Thursday, January 13th, Walk-in Booster Clinic at the Vaccine Center 1:00pm-4:30pm. 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***
