December 17, 2021 –
This is a joint news release issued by the Northern Illinois Rockford Region (Region 1) Public Information Officers. Region 1 serves Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, and Winnebago Counties.
REGION 1 LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND HOSPITALS URGE PUBLIC TO TAKE STEPS TO ADDRESS THE HIGH HOSPITAL PATIENT VOLUMES
Northern Illinois Rockford Region - Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases are rising at an alarming rate in the Northern Illinois Rockford Region, Region 1, and an increasing number of patients with COVID-19 are being admitted to local hospitals. Hospital bed availability has reached a critically low level, demand on hospital resources is high, and most of the local hospitals have experienced long wait times in their Emergency Departments.
With the identification of COVID-19 variants (Delta and Omicron) that spread more easily and the increasing COVID-19 cases in our region, the nine county local health departments and the eleven hospitals in Region 1 jointly seek the support and action of the community to address the high patient volumes.
The Public Is Urged To:
• Use the emergency department for emergencies only.
o Contact your primary care provider or go to a walk-in clinic for non-emergency needs. For more information on when to use the emergency department, see the attached guide from Northwestern Medicine.
•Show compassion towards staff who are working hard amid this crisis.
•Get vaccinated for COVID-19 and flu. If eligible, get your COVID-19 booster shot.
o COVID-19 vaccine is available for everyone 5 and older.
o Flu vaccine is available for everyone 6 months and older.
o Flu and COVID-19 vaccine can be given at the same time.
o To find a vaccine provider, go to vaccines.gov, call 1-800-232-0233 or text your ZIP code to 738829
• Prevent the spread of COVID-19 with layered measures. In addition to vaccination:
o MASK-UP: Wear a face covering when with individuals outside your household.
o BACK-UP: Keep at least 6 feet apart from others.
o WASH-UP: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds.
• If you test positive for COVID-19, ask about monoclonal antibodies which can reduce the severity of the disease.
For more information:
Go to IDPH and State of Illinois websites on COVID-19 here:
• https://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19
• https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/
For general questions about COVID-19, call the IDPH hotline at 1-800-889-3931.