From news release
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The Winnebago County Health Department is warning residents to take additional precautions as coronavirus cases have picked up again.

The county is now at a high community level of COVID-19 due to the case rate and hospital numbers increasing, the department said in a news release Thursday.

The county’s case rate has exceeded 200 cases per 100,000 and the number of new COVID-19 hospital admissions has exceeded 10 per 100,000 people in the last seven days, which is considered high community level based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention metrics. The metrics are designed to help communities take action when COVID-19 spread is increasing.

The health department is recommending the following actions:

• Wear a mask while in public indoor settings, regardless of your vaccination status.
• Those who are immunocompromised or high risk for severe disease should talk to their health care provider about whether they need to wear a mask or a respirator.
• Avoid crowded indoor settings.
• Stay up to date on coronavirus vaccines.
• Those at risk for serious illness from COVID-19 should talk to their health care provider and have a plan for possible treatment options if they become ill with COVID-19.

“To protect yourself, your family and community, take the recommended actions to prevent COVID-19 based on community level. This phase of the pandemic emphasizes self-care,” Sandra Martell, public health administrator for the Winnebago County Health Department, said in a news release. “Due to the high community level of COVID-19, all individuals regardless of vaccination status are strongly encouraged to wear masks when in public indoor settings. If you test positive for COVID-19 contact your health care provider right away to see if treatment options are right for you, even if you currently have mild symptoms. Let’s work together to have a safe, healthy, and fun summer.”

To order free masks and test kits or to find treatment, vaccine, and booster shot locations, visit covid.gov.