COVID-19 cases up 40.88% in St. Clair County. Here’s what the CDC says you should do.

Meredith Howard
·3 min read
1

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention updated its COVID-19 community levels Thursday and categorized St. Clair, Madison, Washington, Marion and St. Louis counties at the “medium” transmission level.

The map from St. Clair County Health Department’s website was last updated May 26, and does not yet list the area at a medium community level as of Friday at 11:30 a.m.

St. Clair was designated at the “low” level last week, but cases rose by 40.88% week to week, according to the CDC. Case numbers increased by 12.5% in Washington County, and 1.89% in Madison County, also placing them in the medium risk category by the CDC.

For “medium” community level counties, health guidelines say you should take the following actions:

  • Stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines.

  • Get tested if you experience symptoms.

  • Wear a mask if you have symptoms, exposure to someone with COVID-19 or if you have a positive test.

  • Wear a mask on public transportation, even if you have not been exposed or do not have symptoms.

  • Consider masking in indoor public settings and taking additional precautions if you are at high risk for severe illness.

The test positivity rate in St. Clair County has increased by 3.6% over the last 7 days, bringing the total positivity rate to 10.04%. There was also a 22.67% increase in the number of tests performed in the last week.

Hospital admission rates of those with confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses have also spiked in the county, with a 17.6% change.

Farther north, 15 Illinois counties, including Mason, Tazewell, Peoria, and Chicagoland areas have reached a “high” community level. Masking is more widely recommended in high community level areas, but CDC guidelines emphasize that anyone may choose to wear a mask at any time to protect themselves and others.

Where can I still get tests and boosters near Belleville?

COVID-19 testing and booster shots are freely available at multiple locations near Belleville, including at Walgreens and CVS, and the St. Clair County Public Health Department is offering vaccines at 19 Public Square. Appointments can be made online for most locations.

Vaccines and boosters are free, including for those who are uninsured. Vaccination sites will likely ask you for your insurance information so they can bill the company, but you won’t have to pay even if you are not currently covered under a health plan.

The COVID-19 vaccination rate in St. Clair County is lower than the national average, with 71.8% of St. Clair residents with at least one dose and 77.8% of the U.S. population. In St. Clair County, 63.6% of people are fully vaccinated, while nationally 66.6% have been fully vaccinated.

Illinois has a lower percentage of people who have received at least one vaccine dose, but a higher portion of fully vaccinated people than national averages. According to the CDC, 76.4% of Illinois residents have received at least one dose, and 69.1% are fully vaccinated.

Changes to Illinois contact tracing

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced May 23 that the state’s contact tracing system would move from individual calls to “automatic case notification” starting June 1.

“The current contact tracing surge center — a contracted pool of virtual contact tracers implemented in spring 2020 — will cease operations on May 31,” the release said.

Previous notifications included a phone call to COVID-19-positive individuals with case investigations for those 65 years old and older. The case investigations will no longer take place, and people will instead receive a text message in English and in Spanish.

Here’s the message: “IDPH has important info for you: Call 312-777-1999 or visit dph.illinois.gov/covidhelp?ch=sms Llame al 312-777-1999 o visite dph.illinois.gov/covidhelp?ch=sms”

The May 23 press release said the end to investigations will not apply to cases occurring in congregate facilities.