Editor’s note: This story has been updated because the 63,080 doses of vaccine given on Friday are not one-day records, as IDPH reported on Saturday; IDPH reported on Friday that 74,965 doses had been given the day before.
The more contagious variant COVID-19 found for the first time in the United Kingdom appeared in Lake County, health officials said on Saturday.
“While new COVID-19 cases have declined since January, the emergence of this new variant right here in Lake County underscores how important it is to remain vigilant,” said Mark Pfister, executive director of Lake County Health. . Press release.
“We all need to continue to follow the precautions of wearing masks, washing hands, keeping a distance of 6 feet from others and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces to limit the spread of the virus,” he said.
The person who landed with variant B.1.1.7 traveled internationally and was in contact with a sick person before returning to the United States in late December, Pfister said.
Upon returning to Lake County, the person was quarantined by others and tested. The person did not show symptoms of COVID-19.
The federal Centers for Disease Control website says 17 cases of the variant have been identified in Illinois.
Viruses are constantly changing and new variants are expected, the health department said. In addition to variant B.1.1.7, variant 1,351 has recently appeared in South Africa and variant P.1 in Brazil.
“We expect to see more cases of these new variants in Lake County, as they appear to be spreading more easily and faster than other variants,” said Dr. Sana Ahmed, an epidemiologist for the Lake County Department of Health in press release. “It is extremely important that you follow the quarantine recommendations and be tested if you have traveled or been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Answer the contact locator call to help protect our communities. “
Studies suggest that currently available COVID-19 vaccines will be effective against new strains.
The Illinois Department of Public Health reported that 63,080 doses were administered on Friday. The 7-day average of daily vaccines is 49,909 doses.
A total of 1,294,498 vaccines had been administered since Friday night, out of 2,132,025 delivered now, IDPH said.
The state also reported 3,062 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease and 60 additional deaths. The figures are about the same as those reported in recent days. Among the dead are 19 people from Cook County, five from DuPage County, three from Kane County, one in Lake County, one in McHenry County and two in Will County.
The seven-day preliminary positivity at the state level for cases as a percentage of the total test results between January 30 and February 5 is 3.4%.
As of Friday night, 2,271 people in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of these, 485 patients were in the IU and 246 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.
For more information on COVID-19 variants, go to cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/transmission/variant.html.