Knox County, IL- The Knox County Unified Command is announcing 201 new cases of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), between Monday, December 13, 2021, and Sunday, December 19, 2021. According to IDPH the total positive cases in Knox County is 8,399. Due to federal privacy restriction, release of any additional information is prohibited. To date there have been 181 COVID-19 related deaths.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Knox County has administered 65,188 COVID-19 vaccines and 27,026 (53.93%) county residents have been fully vaccinated. Knox County has administered 10,636 booster doses. According to the Jurisdiction-Specific Age Demographics 35.97% of our 12–17-year old’s have been fully vaccinated and 6.59% of our 5–11-year old’s have been fully vaccinated. The Knox County Health Department is following the Illinois Department of Public Health and Food and Drug Administration’s decision to expand recommendations for COVID-19 booster shots to now include everyone ages 16 years and older. Only the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is authorized and recommended for adolescents 16 and 17, this population is now recommended to get a booster shot at least 6 months after completing their primary vaccination series. It is recommended that anyone 18 years and older get a COVID-19 booster dose six months after receiving their second Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.
COVID-19 vaccines are widely available, registration links can be found at www.knoxcountyhealth.org. Unified Command Vaccine Center Clinics planned are as follows:
· Tuesday, December 28th at the Unified Command Vaccine Center 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Clinic offers primary series, additional doses, and boosters of Moderna for adults 18 years and up and Pfizer boosters for those 16 years and up. Pfizer primary series is available to those 12 years of age and up.
· Thursday, December 30th at the Unified Command Vaccine Center 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Clinic offers primary series, additional doses, and boosters of Moderna for adults 18 years and up and Pfizer boosters for those 16 years and up. Pfizer primary series is available to those 12 years of age and up.
The Health Department will offer Curbside COVID-19 Testing on Monday and Wednesday this week from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; appointments are made same day by calling (309) 344-2225 beginning at 7:15 a.m. Additionally, health care providers in the community are offering testing options as well as local pharmacies. Credible sources for information about COVID-19 include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov and Illinois Department of Public Health www.dph.illinois.gov. For general questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1 (800) 889-3931, email dph.sick@illinois.gov or call your Knox County Health Department at (309) 344-2224 or email covid19@knoxcountyhealth.org.