The Illinois Department of Public Health says that Illinoisans face an increased chance of exposure to seasonal illnesses as families are gathering to celebrate the holidays and hospitals around the state are administering new rules in order to combat the spread.
There was an uptick in hospital admissions for COVID-19, flu and RSV in the week ending December 14, according to IDPH’s Seasonal Respiratory Illness Dashboard.
The percentage of emergency department visits due to respiratory illness also increased from 13.8% in the previous week to 14.7%. The state is also continuing to see a rise in ICU admissions due to RSV, driven by infants and children from the ages of one to four.
Memorial Health Hospitals has also implemented a temporary visitor restriction policy.
The restrictions apply to inpatient units at all five Memorial Health hospitals: Decatur Memorial Hospital, Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Springfield Memorial Hospital and Taylorville Memorial Hospital. The restrictions do not apply to outpatient Memorial Care locations, including urgent or primary care and laboratory or imaging appointments.
Similar to OSF, Memorial Health said in a statement that two visitors per patient at a time will be permitted and that all visitors be 18 years of age or older and show no signs of illness.
“As we gather with our loved ones during the holiday season, please use all the tools at your disposal to protect friends and family who are most vulnerable to severe outcomes,” IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a statement.
“This includes those who are over 65, very young children and people who are immunosuppressed.”
Vohra emphasized that the best protection against respiratory illnesses are vaccines.
The FDA and CDC have approved new vaccines for COVID-19 and flu as well as updated who can receive the RSV vaccines. The new COVID-19 vaccines and the new flu shots are recommended for everyone over the age of 6 months. The RSV vaccine is recommended for everyone 75 years and older.
IDPH has posted two helpful new FAQ documents on its website providing the latest guidance on vaccinations and how to get tested and treated for seasonal illnesses.