COVID update from the Department of Health

Members of the Effingham County Council Health Committee were briefed Tuesday on the state of COVID-19 immunizations in the county.

Karen Feldkamp of the County Health Department said 14,656 shots were fired and 5,698 people were completely vaccinated. It is a little over 16% of the county’s inhabitants. Feldkamp said 50% of those over 65 were vaccinated.

There are two vaccination clinics scheduled this week. Wednesday’s clinic is full, but there are still openings for Thursday’s clinic. Learn more at www.effcohealth.org.

Feldkamp said it was “a little daunting”, but health officials are beginning to see an increase in positive COVID cases, and 160 people in the county are currently in quarantine.

Health Department administrator Jeff Workman said his biggest concern was COVID variants, which Feldkamp said were “more contagious and easier to transmit.”

Feldkamp recalled that “we are not in the bridge phase, we are still in phase 4. Now is not the time to stop wearing masks and stop social distancing.”

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In a related note, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported on Tuesday a COVID-related death in Shelby County, that of a 60-year-old woman.