This is the time to be extra careful

Scott Cousins, scousins@thetelegraph.com

CHICAGO While an uptick in new cases and positivity rates may be a reflection of increased testing, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Tuesday state officials continue to take a close look at the numbers to see if it is an indication of the post-Thanksgiving coronavirus surge that has been predicted.

One thing Im certain of is this virus is circulating widely in every county in Illinois, Pritzker said.

Statewide the Illinois Department of Public Health reported 5,835 people in Illinois hospitalized with COVID, 1,195 in the ICU, and 721 on ventilators.

Locally, the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force, which looks at COVID-19 and related issues in both Illinois and Missouri, said hospital admissions and other critical numbers were up.

It was announced Tuesday that hospitals in four major healthcare systems (BJC HealthCare, Mercy, SSM Health and St. Lukes Hospital) are at 82 percent capacity, and ICUs are at 90 percent of staffed capacity.

Pritzker noted that new cases, hospitalizations and deaths announced today are the result of actions taken a week or more ago, and they will start to see whether or not the expected surge begins in a day or two.

We know we arent going to see the bulk of the impact from Thanksgiving just yet, he said.

He also noted that past experience has taught us decisions about whether to get tested are different around holidays, with many being tested prior to Thanksgiving, followed by a drop off.

Todays uptick in the positivity rate could be fluctuations in testing, he said, saying that is one of the reasons they need time to study the data.

He cautioned that many who traveled or met with others for the holiday could be infected but asymptomatic.

You may feel fine right now, but you may be passing COVID-19 to others, Pritzker said, saying those who traveled or celebrated outside of their immediate family should be tested 5-7 days after potential exposure if they are asymptomatic.

This is the time to be extra careful, he said, citing the predictions of a new surge. These next few weeks are a time to stay home as much as possible. Its the safest thing you can do for the people you love, and the healthcare workers who will be there when you need them.

Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said the increases are the result of human behavior, including failure to wear masks, practice social distancing and washing hands.

She added those who are not complying with the current Tier 3 mandates are not helping the situation.

The rest is here:
State awaits Thanksgiving COVID surge - Alton Telegraph