COVID numbers click upward in Randolph St. Louis city, county reinstate mask mandates
An uptick in concern over the Delta variant of COVID-19 is resonating across southern Illinois, as more cases are discovered both here and in Missouri, just right across the Mississippi River.
This week, the city of St. Louis and St. Louis County reinstated mask mandates, as officials there try to stem the tide of cases in a half-dozen "hot spots" across Missouri. Missouri is currently one of the most COVID-infected states in the nation.
The Randolph County Health Department released data on Friday that said the county had 47 active cases of COVID-19. On July 12 they reported 25 active cases and back on July 6 there were 16 active cases.
Of the 47 cases reported on Friday, three people were hospitalized but no new deaths have been reported.
The Centers for Disease Control and the Illinois Department of Public Health are urging every eligible person to be vaccinated, but most counties in southern Illinois remain below the 40% vaccinated threshold - in some cases well below.
As of Sunday, the IDPH reported that only four southern Illinois counties had vaccination rates of over 40%, and three of those are in Metro East. The fourth is Washington County.
The rest of southern Illinois ranges from a low vaccination rate of 15.5% in Alexander County to 38.71% in Jackson County. Randolph County was at 37.24% as of Sunday.
In the St. Louis area, the mask mandate is for everyone 5 and older, including people who are fully vaccinated. it requires people to wear masks in indoor public places and on public transportation and strongly encourages outside mask use in group settings.
Exceptions are in place for people who are seated in a restaurant or bar eating and drinking, and for individuals with disabilities that prevent them from putting on or removing face coverings.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said last week that 44.8% of residents are fully vaccinated in St. Louis County. In the city of St. Louis proper, 35.1% of residents are fully vaccinated.
The IDPH is recommending that any unvaccinated person wear a mask in public, group settings or gatherings as the Delta variant moves into Illinois. If you are immunocompromised or have underlying health issues you should consider wearing a mask regardless of your vaccination status.
If you show any of the following signs and symptoms you should seek COVID testing immediately:
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Meanwhile, vaccine clinics are routinely held at the Randolph County Health Department in Chester. The times for all the clinics on this list are 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Unless stated otherwise. Make an appointment at (618) 826-5007.
Thursday, July 29 - Moderna
Friday, July 30 - Johnson & Johnson (walk-ins permitted, no appointments necessary)
Tuesday, Aug. 10 - Pfizer
Thursday, Aug. 12 - Moderna
Wednesday, Aug. 25 - Johnson & Johnson (this is a walk-in clinic, from 1 to 3 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 26 - Pfizer Friday, Aug. 27 - Moderna
Randolph County has been increasing its vaccinated population, and as of Sunday, 37.24%, or 11,955 people, were full vaccinated.
Vaccinated by county*
Monroe: 47.16%
Madison: 43.42%
Washington: 42.07%
St. Clair: 41.74%
Jackson: 38.71%
Union: 38.60%
Randolph: 37.24%
Williamson: 36.41%
Perry (Illinois): 34.65%
Johnson: 33.43%
Gallatin: 32.88%
Saline: 32.79%
Jefferson: 31.78%
White: 31.15%
Franklin: 30.54%
Massac: 27.79%
Hardin: 25.58%
Hamilton: 24.65%
Pope: 23.79%
Pulaski: 23.08%
Alexander: 15.05%
*as of Sunday, July 25