The Illinois Department of Public Health announced on Monday afternoon that eight cases of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7, which originated in the United Kingdom, have been found in the state.
IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike says nine total cases of the new variant have been found. All came from patients in Cook County, ranging in age from 12 to 63 year old. She says studies have found that the variant can spread more easily. However, Ezike says the COVID-19 vaccine is still effective against the variant, and that the best way to defeat the new strain is by simply wearing a mask and receiving the vaccine.
Meanwhile, the Vermilion County Health Department says that 92 new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed. Administrator Doug Toole also says the department is currently taking appointments for its February 11th vaccination clinic at the Fischer Theatre.
Overall, the county has had 7,250 positive cases.
The new cases, broken down by age, consist of:
- One person in their 90’s
- One person in their 80’s
- Four people in their 70’s
- 17 people in their 60’s
- 15 people in their 50’s
- 12 people in their 40’s
- Five people in their 30’s
- 16 people in their 20’s
- Eight teenagers
- Nine grade-school-aged children
- One preschooler
- One toddler
- Two infants
Region 6 has a positivity rate of 5.4 percent, while in Vermilion County it is 7.8 percent. IDPH also announced on Monday that areas of northern Illinois, Peoria and Bloomington can now return to phase 4, due to a reduced amount of cases in those areas.
