The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Friday that with the holidays approaching, data indicates that the impact of respiratory viruses is being felt across the state with 44 counties now at an elevated level for COVID-19 hospitalizations, according to the CDC’s national COVID Data Tracker, as of the week ending November 25th. COVID-19 hospitalization data indicate that 39 counties are at medium level and five are at high level, while statewide, there were 1039 new hospitalizations reported, an increase of 20 percent over the previous week.
Data also shows that broad acute respiratory hospitalizations are increasing across Illinois including COVID-19, flu and RSV. IDPH officials are encouraging residents and families to use caution and take proper health precautions when hosting or attending holiday gatherings this upcoming holiday season.