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Cook County Department of Public Health Urges Suburban Cook County to Take COVID Precautions During the Holiday Season

COVID hospital admissions low, but increasing

Although COVID-19 hospital admissions in suburban Cook County continue to be low, they have almost doubled since the beginning of November; and emergency room visits associated with COVID have been trending upward since early October.

That is why Cook County Department of Public Health is urging residents to take precautions when gathering with their families and friends for the holidays.

“We want to encourage Cook County residents to remain vigilant during this holiday season,” said Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, chief operating officer of Cook County Department of Public Health.

“The single most important way to protect yourself and your families from COVID, flu, and RSV is to stay up to date with recommended vaccinations. It’s science at work. It’s safe. It’s proven. And it works.”

According to Cook County Department of Public Health data for the week ending Nov. 25, there are seven COVID-19 hospital admissions for every 100,000 residents of suburban Cook County. Most admissions are among those age 65 and older.

The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater is an early indicator of COVID-19 activity. Wastewater viral concentrations are currently at the highest levels seen so far this year, indicating ongoing community transmission.

As of Dec. 1, 10% of Cook County residents have received the 2023-2024 updated annual COVID-19 vaccine. Everyone 6 months and older should get updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines each year. Immunization for RSV is recommended for infants; and the RSV vaccine is recommended for pregnant women and adults 60 years and older. Adults can receive the RSV, COVID-19, and flu vaccines at the same time.

In addition to staying up to date on all recommended vaccinations, Cook County Department of Public Health recommends residents take the following precautions when gathering during the holidays:

- - Test for COVID-19 before attending a family or public event.
  - If you have COVID-19 symptoms, get tested and stay home until you have your test results. If you test positive, follow CDC’s isolation recommendations.
  - Improve ventilation and filtration in your indoor space by opening windows, changing filters frequently, using high-efficiency particulate air cleaners, turning on fans to improve air flow and turning your thermostat to the “on” position, instead of “auto.”
  - Wear a mask indoors to protect those at higher risk for severe illness from a COVID-19 infection, including older adults and those with underlying medical conditions.

Find more information and resources about vaccinations at BoostUpCookCounty.com.

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Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

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