SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is cautioning residents of the increasing chance of respiratory illness after monitoring surveillance data.
The state agency has moved up Illinois' overall respiratory illness level from Low to Moderate, they announced Monday. This is tied to the percentage of hospital admissions related to COVID-19, RSV and the flu.
According to the department's Seasonal Respiratory Illness Dashboard, 15.1% of hospital admissions statewide and 14.7% of emergency department admissions were related to acute respiratory illness.
IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra asks friends and family gathering for the holidays to use all tools possible to protect seniors, young children and immunosuppresed people from illnesses.
"The best protection from severe illness caused by COVID-19, flu and RSV remains the highly effective vaccines that are widely available," Vohra said. "Other effective tools include enhanced ventilation and good hand hygiene. If you are having concerning respiratory systems, please seek medical care. We at IDPH wish all our Illinois residents a safe, happy and healthy holiday season."
Officials with IDPH said it's not too late to get flu shots and COVID vaccines. The new vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months or older.
Vaccines should be available at most pharmacies, as well as through community health centers and hospitals. Most pharmacies may require you to book an appointment online in advance. More information on finding vaccines can be found on www.vaccines.gov.
Besides vaccines, Vohra said hosts should provide proper indoor ventilation in their space, encourage good hand hygiene, and reminding guests to cover coughs and sneezes.
There are also anti-viral treatments available for flu and COVID-19, but health officials said they are only effective if it is started quickly after the start of symptoms.
Anyone who becomes sick is asked to isolate as much as possible to reduce the transmission of viruses or wear a well-fitting mask when near others.
No-cost COVID testing can be found using the ICATT's program testing locator. Even more free at-home COVID-19 tests can be ordered through covidtests.gov.