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Some cause for concern, but hospitalizations are significantly lower than a year ago

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Illinois

Respiratory viruses are spreading quickly right now and with more holiday gatherings in the next week, the Chicago Department of Public Health is urging people to get vaccinated. […]

On Wednesday, local nurses called on Governor JB Pritzker and the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health to require masks again at all healthcare facilities.

Nurses from several groups planned to speak in front of UIC Hospital on Wednesday.

The group said last week the Illinois Department of Public Health recommended using masks in healthcare settings because of rising RSV and COVID cases.

The governor no longer has the authority to order masks at the healthcare facilities because his COVID disaster declaration is expired.

And if you click here and then click the Hospital Visits tab, you’ll see that emergency room visits and hospitalizations are lower than they were at this time last year (with COVID hospitalizations just a bit more than half of that mid-December 2022 number). The online data hasn’t been updated since Saturday, but hospitalizations were definitely trending downward at that time.

That being said, I know a whole lot of people who have COVID right now, but none are in the hospital.

* Here is what IDPH told me today…

IDPH has been in close communication with our healthcare partners in recent weeks and months as we have seen seasonal viruses increase across the state. Our goal is to monitor conditions and ensure that healthcare facilities have the capacity to deal with any increase in demand.

On December 14 we issued a health alert to hospitals and long-term care facilities recommending they take precautions to reduce the spread of viruses and protect their patients, staffs and visitors.

The alert shared CDC’s recommendation for facility-wide masking at healthcare facilities that are in counties rated at high level for COVID-19 hospitalizations or per facility discretion in areas where data shows elevated transmission of other respiratory viruses such as flu and RSV, even if COVID-19 hospitalization levels are not high in those areas.

We applaud the many healthcare facilities around Illinois that have already put in place masking and other proactive mitigation measures as we contend with this seasonal surge in illnesses.

We will continue to closely monitor the health data and provide additional guidance to healthcare facilities if it is warranted.

More here.

* Meanwhile, in Springfield via Steven Spearie at the SJ-R…

Memorial Health has implemented temporary visitor restrictions at its five hospitals, including Springfield Memorial Hospital, to curb the spread of respiratory illnesses.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recommended temporary visitor restrictions due to a statewide increase in respiratory illnesses including COVID-19, influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV.

Memorial Health requires that hospital visits be limited to two visitors per patient and that all visitors be 18 years of age or older and show no signs of illness.

Masks are encouraged but not required at this time. Disposable masks are available for visitors upon entry.

Hospital Sisters Health System, which includes HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield and HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield, is recommending there be a limit of two people visiting a patient at one time.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 20, 23 @ 1:02 pm

Comments

Vax, mask, my dentist uses an air purifier in every office and the lobby. I’ve noticed my usual throat cold thing of this time of year is not as bad. I attribute that to the RSV vaccine. if you are eligible, get it. If you are not eligible by age, but get frequent bouts that are difficult, talk to your doc. I did and doc agreed to have me get it. oh, and wash your hands. again.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Dec 20, 23 @ 1:08 pm
I also a whole lot of people who have COVID right now, and pretty much all of them have since told me they didn’t get the updated booster.

Comment by Ex Journo Wednesday, Dec 20, 23 @ 1:14 pm
Always interesting to see how much easier systems find it to restrict children from important activities like visiting sick and dying relatives than it is to dare to tell adults they must wear disease protection in a medical facility.

Comment by Stephanie Kollmann Wednesday, Dec 20, 23 @ 1:17 pm
I know two people with COVID in the hospital right now. One currently has cancer, the other is recovering from cancer. Both were vaccinated.

Comment by Just Me 2 Wednesday, Dec 20, 23 @ 1:19 pm
Also, IDPH should post hospital and ICU capacity and bed use.

Health care workers are getting covid too, and people are coming in with a lot of nonrespiratory (often long-covid-related) conditions.

What is the actual staffed capacity of hospitals and how full are they? Since CDC has warned that care rationing may begin by the end of December, this info should be easily accessible to the public.

Comment by Stephanie Kollmann Wednesday, Dec 20, 23 @ 1:27 pm
Today was my appointment with my opthalmologist in regards to macular degeneration in one eye. Some of the staff I saw wore masks. When I got my eye injection, all involved, including me, wore a mask which has been the usual procedure in the past. Now there is a lot of norovirus in the schools according to some of the teachers I know. So, keep washing those hands.

Comment by Nearly Normal Wednesday, Dec 20, 23 @ 1:34 pm
I’ve been sick for over two weeks. Coughing, congested etc. Got my COVID booster and flu shot couple months ago.

Comment by Chicago Voter Wednesday, Dec 20, 23 @ 2:04 pm
The hospital where I volunteer is now requiring masks in their whole system.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Dec 20, 23 @ 2:04 pm
==Masks are encouraged but not required at this time.==

Feels like malpractice. Frankly, this should be a requirement at all hospitals, all the time. It’s one of the simplest, most effective measures for reducing the transmission of respiratory viruses. It protects the patients and visitors.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Dec 20, 23 @ 2:33 pm
Pot Calling Kettle — and it protects the staff, for heaven’s sake. I have had a couple of pointed conversations with my dentist and some assistants. I was like — you are in people’s faces, all day every day. If anybody’s going to get it, it’s going to be you.

Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Dec 20, 23 @ 3:12 pm
Every one is going to get it…eventually.

Comment by Dotnonymous x Wednesday, Dec 20, 23 @ 3:14 pm