New COVID cases decline for third straight week

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New cases of Coronavirus Disease or COVID-19 dropped again for the second straight week in Knox County.

According to a release Tuesday from the Knox County Unified Command, 153 cases were reported between Tuesday, October 5, and Monday, October 11. That brings the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic to 7,130.

There have been 169 deaths reported that have been attributed in some way to COVID-19, an increase of two from the previous week’s reporting.

The Illinois Department of Public Health’s COVID dashboard indicates that the county is designated, still, to be that of high community transmission, due to the number of cases per 100,000 residents (313.89).

Testing is available curbside on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm; appointments are made the same day by calling 309-344-2225 beginning at 7:15 am.

COVID-19 vaccines are widely available, with Unified Command Vaccine Center Clinics planned as follows:

  • Wednesday, October 13, at Carl Sandburg College Crist Center 11:30 am-1:30 pm Pfizer, Moderna & Janssen
  • Thursday, October 14, at the Unified Command Vaccine Center 8:30 am-10:30 am Moderna & Janssen (18 years of age and up)
  • Monday, October 18, at the Abingdon Methodist Church, 401 N Washington St, Abingdon, 9:00 am-11:00 am Pfizer, Moderna & Janssen

Moderna and Pfizer third-doses are being administered to those who self-attest to being immunocompromised or are on immunosuppressant therapy at all Knox County Unified Vaccine Clinics and events.

Third-dose vaccines must be given at least 28 days after the second dose. The additional dose should be the same as the initial two-dose vaccine.

Federal guidelines will be followed regarding the Pfizer Booster vaccine to qualified individuals at least six months after the primary vaccine series. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the booster for those that are 65 years of age or older and residents of a long-term care facility or people with underlying medical conditions between the ages of 50-64.

The CDC also recommends that people aged 18-49 with underlying medical conditions or people 18-64 who are at risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of their occupational setting may also be considered for the boosters.

People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical conditions and whether getting a booster dose is appropriate for them.

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