LASALLE COUNTY (25News Now) – COVID-19 cases are rising across the country, including in veterans homes across Illinois.
According to the CDC, COVID-19 infections spread to 27 states in August alone.
Locally, it is affecting veterans’ homes in LaSalle, Manteno and Quincy in the state of Illinois. So far, 36 people in these homes have tested positive for COVID-19 during the outbreak.
Terry Prince, director of the Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs, said most staff and residents have only mild symptoms.
“Cough or cold, things like that, whether it’s a cough or a fever or a sneeze,” Prince said.
Doug Kasper, an infectious disease specialist at OSF Healthcare, said the increase in COVID-19 cases is due to the change in the COVID strain, which can lead to reinfection.
He said the cause could also be lower vaccination rates.
“When you see an increase in cases in a home setting, whether it’s a traditional home setting with lots of people, I think you find that there are more cases when people are closer together in confined spaces or the virus is at a higher level of activity,” Kasper said.
Prince said the most recent outbreak at these facilities occurred last month. He said it can be tough on staff at times, but they have taken precautions over the years.
“It’s very difficult, but I think that thanks to our efforts and what we’ve done over the years and just because of our experience, it’s just not as difficult as it used to be,” Prince said.
The FDA approved a new vaccine last Thursday, which Kasper said should help prevent severe cases of COVID-19.
“It does not protect you from getting COVID-19, nor does it prevent transmission, but it does seem to prevent severe disease,” Kasper said.
The latest vaccine will be available to patients in mid-September.
“I recommend vaccination to our residents and staff and we offer them the opportunity to get vaccinated. It’s clearly their choice. It’s not a mandatory vaccination, but I strongly recommend it for their health and well-being,” Prince said.
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