Read more about the article Nearly 8,000 students may be coming from Illinois zip codes with higher COVID infection rates than Champaign CountyMcKinley Health Center website
McKinley Health Center on the University of Illinois campus.

Nearly 8,000 students may be coming from Illinois zip codes with higher COVID infection rates than Champaign County

Almost 8,000 students may be returning to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus from Illinois ZIP codes with higher COVID-19 positivity rates than Champaign…

Continue ReadingNearly 8,000 students may be coming from Illinois zip codes with higher COVID infection rates than Champaign County
Read more about the article ‘Unique historical fear’ of Carle Health billing practices may lead some to skip COVID-19 vaccine, health officials worryGavin Good
Carle Foundation Hospital North Tower.

‘Unique historical fear’ of Carle Health billing practices may lead some to skip COVID-19 vaccine, health officials worry

The hospital's decades-long reputation for aggressively billing patients has resurfaced anew during the pandemic.

Continue Reading‘Unique historical fear’ of Carle Health billing practices may lead some to skip COVID-19 vaccine, health officials worry
Read more about the article Illinois flu activity plunges amid pandemicIllinois Department of Public Health
Source: Illinois Department of Public Health

Illinois flu activity plunges amid pandemic

Influenza-like illness (ILI) activity has decreased compared to previous years in Illinois. The highest ILI rate was in mid-February of 2020 at 7.4%. That is a 93.2% decrease to 0.5% of ILI activity in February of 2021 compared to 2020.

Continue ReadingIllinois flu activity plunges amid pandemic
Read more about the article COVID on Campus: Tracking and isolating students was hit-and-miss
The empty lobby entrance of the Extended Stay America in Columbia, MO, on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.

COVID on Campus: Tracking and isolating students was hit-and-miss

This story was originally published on www.investigatemidwest.org: COVID on Campus was reported during the fall semester by student journalists examining the impact of the…

Continue ReadingCOVID on Campus: Tracking and isolating students was hit-and-miss

County COVID-19 vaccinations open to lower age group with underlying conditions

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Expands Phase 1B COVID Vaccinations to Include Persons Age 65-74 with Underlying Health Conditions. Next week’s clinics will serve anyone 75 years of age or older that did not previously receive a vaccine plus is expanding to include individuals age 65-74 with underlying health conditions - cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, heart disease, obesity, sickle cell disease, diabetes, smoking, and immune-compromised due to organ transplant.

Continue ReadingCounty COVID-19 vaccinations open to lower age group with underlying conditions
Read more about the article University of Illinois COVID-19 complaints and social media reveal how widespread violations wereGavin Good
Pi Kappa Phi fraternity was among several other frats and sororities that were widely reported for COVID-19 violations. Pi Kappa Phi is on conduct probation through May 2021.

University of Illinois COVID-19 complaints and social media reveal how widespread violations were

A review of more than 400 complaints about partying and public health violations, multiple disciplinary actions and partial lockdowns at apartment complexes show the impact of the partying and social gathering was far wider than previously recognized. While many students obeyed guidelines that included wearing masks and social distancing, a significant number of students held or attended large parties and social gatherings at Greek houses, dorms and apartments. Public records show that four fraternities and one sorority have been disciplined and more than 1,000 students were disciplined.

Continue ReadingUniversity of Illinois COVID-19 complaints and social media reveal how widespread violations were

Health data shows private homes, restaurants and bars, and hospitals and clinics are top sources of new infections

Outside of private homes, bars and restaurants have been the largest source of COVID-19 exposures among cases in Champaign County, according to data from the health district. In November and thus far in December, hospitals or clinics were the top source of COVID-19 exposure. The health district’s graphic shows 26% of reported COVID-19 cases - or 23 cases - within Champaign County were tied to a hospital or clinic in December. There were 112 cases tied to a hospital or clinic in November.

Continue ReadingHealth data shows private homes, restaurants and bars, and hospitals and clinics are top sources of new infections

U Of I Data: Undergrads In Greek And Certified Housing Contracted COVID At Higher Rates Than Others

URBANA – Undergraduate students comprised the vast majority of COVID-19 cases at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign during the fall semester, with the highest infection rates occurring among students living in fraternities, sororities and other private, campus-certified housing.

Continue ReadingU Of I Data: Undergrads In Greek And Certified Housing Contracted COVID At Higher Rates Than Others
Read more about the article Public health officials say Champaign County is at a “critical juncture” in the pandemicGoogle Street View
The exterior of Carle Foundation Hospital's emergency department in Urbana during October 2019.

Public health officials say Champaign County is at a “critical juncture” in the pandemic

On Monday, Champaign-Urbana Public Health Department Administrator Julie Pryde, joined by officials from Carle Foundation Hospital and OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana, warned that hospitals are approaching capacity. The officials said that Region 6 — which covers 21 counties in east-central Illinois including Champaign County — has only 29% of its Intensive Care Unit capacity and 29% of its hospital bed capacity remaining as virus cases surged.

Continue ReadingPublic health officials say Champaign County is at a “critical juncture” in the pandemic