Published April 6, 2021 3:33 PM
Last updated April 6, 2021 4:34 PM
Written by Greg Sapp
Members of the Effingham County Board Health Committee were briefed on the status of COVID-19 immunizations in the county on Tuesday.
Karen Feldkamp of the County Health Department said 14,656 shots were given and 5,698 people fully vaccinated. That is just over 16% of the inhabitants of the province. Feldkamp said 50% of people over 65 have been vaccinated.
Two vaccination clinics are scheduled for this week. The Wednesday clinic is full, but there are still openings for the Thursday clinic. Read more at www.effcohealth.org.
Feldkamp said “it’s a bit daunting,” but health officials are starting to see an increase in COVID-positive cases, and 160 people in the province are currently being quarantined.
Health department administrator Jeff Workman said his main concern is the COVID variants, which Feldkamp says are “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 to stop socially distancing themselves.”
In a related note, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported a COVID-related death in Shelby County on Tuesday of a woman in her 60s.