COVID Illinois Update: IL reports 1,388 new cases, 18 deaths

There have been at the very least 3,053,185 whole COVID circumstances, together with 33,198 deaths within the state for the reason that pandemic started.

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The seven-day statewide check positivity fee is 1.2%, which is down from Thursday.

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Throughout the previous 24 hours, laboratories have reported testing 132,380 new specimens for a complete of 56,328,379 for the reason that pandemic started.

As of Thursday night time, 528 sufferers in Illinois have been reported to be within the hospital with COVID-19. Of these, 88 sufferers have been within the ICU, and 35 sufferers with COVID-19 have been on ventilators.
A complete of 21,273,924 vaccine doses have been administered in Illinois as of Friday, and 64.16% of the state’s inhabitants is totally vaccinated. The seven-day rolling common of vaccines administered every day is 8,104.

New omicron BA.2 subvariant continues to extend in Illinois

When new variants emerge within the Chicago space, they usually are first detected in a Rush College Medical Middle lab the place COVID samples are sequenced. The brand new omicron BA.2 sub variant first confirmed up in January and continues to extend.

“What we all know to this point is it may be extra transmissible than omicron,” stated Dr. John Segreti, director, an infection management & prevention at Rush College Medical. “It is about 30% extra transmissible.”

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In response to the CDC, the BA.2 sub variant accounts for over 20% of the circumstances in Midwestern states, together with Illinois. It’s already inflicting a resurgence of circumstances in Europe, particularly the UK.

“We will count on since we usually observe the UK by a couple of weeks, of what goes on within the UK usually occurs right here,” Dr. Anthony Fauci stated.

Whereas the sub variant seems to be extra contagious than Omicron, specialists say the excellent news is BA.2 just isn’t inflicting extreme sickness.

“There’s a risk a vaccinated particular person would get it, however finally they’re protected towards extreme illness, hospitalizations and loss of life,” stated Dr. Alfredo Mena Lora, an infectious illness specialist at St. Anthony Hospital.

However safety does wane, which is why each Pfizer and now Moderna are searching for FDA approval for a 2nd booster. Pfizer is recommending one other shot for folks 65 and above, and Moderna for folks 18 and over.

“It appears to be 4-6 months when the antibodies begin to wane,” Segreti stated.

However, a 4th shot may very well be a tricky promote. Boosters have been round for months and the charges stay low. Solely 29% of Individuals are boosted in Illinois. In Chicago, the speed is barely greater, at 33%. With masks coming off and a brand new variant transferring right here shortly, medical doctors are urging folks to get protected.