Lee County respiratory illness levels on par with state, national trends

DIXON — Respiratory illness levels in Lee County align with state and national trends.

Last week, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported an increase in the state’s respiratory illness level from moderate to high, fueled by an anticipated early winter surge in hospital admissions.

The IDPH’s Seasonal Respiratory Illness Dashboard shows that emergency department visits for acute respiratory illness climbed to 21% for the week ending Dec. 28, 2024, up from 17% the previous week. Meanwhile, flu-related ED visits surged to 6.2% from 3%, while COVID-19 visits rose slightly to 2%, up from 1.5%.

Lee County Health Department’s Director of Community & Personal Health Jenny Conderman, RN, shared the levels for the number of ED visits in Lee County for the following illnesses:

• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): Very high (increasing)
• Flu: High
• COVID-19: High

“When levels are high, it may indicate that infections are making people sick enough to require treatment,” Conderman said. “Stay at home if you’re ill or if you feel sick. Cover your cough when you sneeze and use a tissue and not your hands. Wear a mask if you are around high-risk populations and always wash your hands.”

The IDPH has issued a health alert to hospitals and health care facilities advising that they monitor conditions in their areas and take targeted steps to help control the spread of seasonal illnesses, including instituting visitor restrictions and masking requirements.

“The New Year has arrived, and Illinois is experiencing the expected winter surge in seasonal respiratory illnesses,” IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said. “It is now more important than ever to use the many tools at our disposal to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. The most effective tool remains vaccinations for flu, COVID-19, and RSV. It is not too late to get your vaccines, as the seasonal respiratory season can extend late into the spring.”

Vohra advises anyone who is experiencing respiratory illness symptoms, including a fever, runny nose, sore throat, or cough, to get tested and treated as soon as possible. Treatments are most effective the earlier they are administered in the course of the illness, especially for the flu and COVID-19.

“Other effective tools to prevent exposure to respiratory illnesses include enhanced ventilation, good hand hygiene and a well-fitting mask,” Vohra said. “These tools may be valuable to all our Illinois residents but are especially important for those most at risk, including individuals over 65, individuals with chronic medical conditions and individuals who are immunocompromised.”

The IDPH also reminds those who are unvaccinated against these illnesses that there is still time to do so. Vaccinations take about two weeks to reach their maximum protection level and getting a shot now can offer protection that lasts into the spring.

New vaccines for the flu and COVID-19 have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control, along with updates on who can receive RSV vaccines. These new vaccines are recommended for everyone over the age of six months.

The IDPH Respiratory Illness Dashboard has reported four pediatric deaths this season from flu, COVID-19 and RSV.

Individuals 75 and older, along with those between 60 and 74 at risk for severe illness, are advised to receive the RSV vaccine. According to the CDC, those who received their RSV shot last winter do not need another one at this time.

A version of the RSV vaccine designed to protect newborns is available for expectant mothers in the late stages of pregnancy, and eligible newborns whose mothers are not vaccinated against RSV should receive Nirsevimab between October and March.

COVID-19 treatments should be started within 5-7 days of experiencing symptoms and must be prescribed by a healthcare provider. Eligible Illinois residents can seek free oral antivirals through the Merck Helps and Paxcess programs. Flu antiviral treatments work best when taken within 48 hours of the first signs of illness and are available only by prescription.

Individuals can access these new vaccines at pharmacies, hospitals and community health clinics. No cost in-person COVID-19 testing locations can be found by using the testing locator for the federal ICATT (Increasing Community Access to Testing) program. Free COVID-19 testing is also available to every household through the federal government’s covidtests.gov website.

To find a nearby vaccine provider, visit vaccines.gov. IDPH’s Vaccine Locator Dashboard provides vaccine information for Illinois residents who are uninsured or underinsured, along with details for children eligible for the Vaccines for Children program. Additionally, these adults can check with their local health departments for more options.