November 23, 2024
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COVID-19 surge in Kendall County: community transmission reaches ‘substantial’ level

Health department supports CDC guidance advising the use of masks for all in public, indoor settings

By John Etheredge
Face mask requirements are posted at the various entrances at the Rose E. McCoy Auditorium where COVID-19 vaccinations are being offered on the Jackson State University campus in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, July 27, 2021. The university has similar signage posted throughout the campus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced new recommendations that vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the coronavirus is surging and also recommended indoor masks for all teachers, staff, students and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

FILE PHOTO: Face mask requirements are posted at entrances to a auditorium. The Kendall County Health Department Health issued a press statement Monday, Aug. 2 in support of CDC guidance advising the use of masks for all in public, indoor settings (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) (Rogelio V. Solis/AP)

The Kendall County Health Department announced Monday, Aug. 2 the county is experiencing “substantial” community transmission of COVID-19, according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance.

In a press statement, the health department reported that areas of substantial transmission are considered by the CDC to be those with 50 to 99 cases per 100,000 people over a seven-day period. Areas of high transmission are considered to be those with more than 100 cases per 100,000 people over a seven-day period.

According to CDC, Kendall County is currently at 81 cases per 100,000 as of Saturday July 31. A total of 100 Kendall County residents have died from COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic in March of 2020, according to county health department data.

According to Illinois Department of Public Health, cases of COVID-19 in Illinois have increased by 46% over last week and hospitalizations are up 35%, including increases in ICU admissions by 24% and a 41% increase of people with COVID-19 on ventilators.

County health department officials said in the statement that the agency supports the CDC’s recently released guidance advising that individuals wear a mask in public, indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission regardless of vaccination status.

Additionally, the CDC is also recommending universal masking regardless of vaccination status for all individuals in K-12 schools, the health department statement notes.

To keep everyone safe, the county health department is recommending the following additional mitigation reminders:

*Physical distancing

*Handwashing and respiratory etiquette

*Staying home when sick and getting tested

The health department statement concludes: “Vaccination is our best defense to ending the COVID-19 pandemic. The health department encourages all people 12 years of age and older to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Evidence supports the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. Fully-vaccinated individuals are at significantly reduced risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death if they contract COVID-19. To schedule a COVID-19 vaccine, please visit, www.kendallhealth.org”