The Vermilion County Health Department says it expected to see an increase in new cases of COVID-19 when the decision was made to allow life to get back to normal. But now, Melissa Rome, Planning and Preparedness Coordinator for the Health Department, says the numbers are exploding….
{AUDIO: ‘’We were looking really good just a few weeks ago. …On July 20th we only had a positivity rate of 1.7, and we’ve jumped to 8.3 (percent). It’s just exploding again – and it’s becoming a real problem.’’
Rome says hospitalizations are increasing as new cases associated with the Delta variant of COVID rise. She and County Health Administrator Douglas Toole talked about the outbreak on WDAN Radio’s Newsmakers program Tuesday.
Some people have refused to get vaccinated for COVID citing the speed at which the vaccines were developed, or the fact the vaccines have not been around long. But Rome argues any adverse affects would have been seen within the first couple of months of when the vaccines came out….
{AUDIO: ‘’We are well past that. We are six, seven months now into this vaccine. Actually, even more because they started the trials sooner than that,’’ said Rome. ‘’So, you know, you’re looking at a very, very safe and effective vaccine. Are there some side effects? – Yes. Have there been some issues? – Yes, but that’s with anything. I mean, some people are deathly allergic to strawberries.’’}
Both Rome and Toole are continuing to urge people to get vaccinated, and now to also wear protective masks when indoors around other people.
[You can listen to the entire show by going to the podcast icon on Vermilioncountyfirst.com…and then click on Newsmakers.]
