The Vermilion County Health Department, as always, is keeping its eyes on many things. One of those right now is a new COVID variant that the governor talked about this week, BA.2. Health Department Emergency Planning and Response Coordinator and Community Liason Melissa Rome says like other variants, this one can be more contagious than others, but not quite as severe as other types of COVID. She says that right now, it seems to account for about 30 percent of new cases in the Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin region; so it needs to be watched. And it’s a good sign, Rome says, that Vermilion County has done well in vaccinating seniors. Because that’s who BA.2 seems to be hitting in Europe and China.
AUDIO: What they’re seeing is that their populations in the elderly 65-plus did not have a very high vaccination rate. So they are definitely feeling the crunch of that. But the United States, overall, has a high vaccination rate with our older population. Even Vermilion County has a decent vaccination rate of our 65-plus.
Meanwhile, there was what appeared to be an overdose death in Westville last week, with another person saved by the opioid overdose drug Narcan. And there are always definite concerns about dangerous drugs on the street, especially opioids and most definitely fentanyl. Anyone using opioids, especially as a substitute for prescription pain killers, can put themselves in extreme danger if they are getting something off the street, because you cannot possibly know what is in it. Rome says, if you realize you have a problem, or know someone who does, please get some help.
AUDIO: There is Rosecrance, who has different kinds of programming. There is New Directions Treatment Center that’s located in Downtown Danville. If they are having problems they can always call their doctor or hospital. They could definitely call us and we would try to point them in the right direction. We continue to see overdose deaths. Vermilion County has one of the highest non-fatal overdose rates in the state. So it is something that is very concerning.
The Vermilion County Health Department can be reached at 217-431-2662. And remember, trouble with drugs such as opioids like heroin or fentanyl, which is extremely potent and dangerous, can happen to ANYONE. Do not be afraid to ask for help.
