Omicron COVID surge continues

The COVID-19 transmission rate remains high in Randolph County, with the health department reporting 651 new cases and seven new hospital admissions in the previous seven days.

As of Tuesday, Jan. 18, Randolph County had a seven-day positivity rate of 18.86%. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Region 4 - which includes Randolph County - had 13% of ICU beds available as of Jan. 13, the 11th consecutive day below the 20% threshold.

The Randolph County Health Department highly recommends taking additional precautions while in a public setting or a gathering of others, especially if you are not vaccinated.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 52.6% of Randolph County residents age 5 or over are fully vaccinated.

The county health department is administering the first, second, third and booster doses of the COVID vaccine at clinics from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20; and Tuesday, Jan. 25. Pediatric vaccines are available by appointment at (618) 826-5007.

Starting Jan. 13 the Illinois Department of Public Health Surge Center assumed all contact tracing and case investigation responsibilities. The Surge Center is using an automated system to reduce the number of incoming\outgoing calls to local health departments.

Positive COVID-19 cases will receive an automated message asking you to participate; if you do not participate, or "Opt-In," you will not receive any communication or correspondence. The Randolph County Health Department will not issue any correspondence\letters going forward.

The health department advises those who fail to receive a call from the Surge Center to follow the current isolation and quarantine guidelines and remain home.