As Delta COVID-19 variant cases increase, Health department administrator expects conditions should not be as bad as last year

(This morning, Sangamon County reports 103 new cases in the past day.)

While the number of cases of COVID-19 is making a resurgance in some regions of the country, and various health organizations are preparing for another wave of cases, the top health official in Fayette County is preparing for additional cases, but doesn’t believe it will be as bad as the last time around.

Fayette County Health Department Interim Administrator Kendra Craig says that the department had been recording five to six new cases a week, but from July 26 to Aug. 2, the area saw 22 new cases.

“With everyone who has gotten the vaccine, I can’t imagine it being as bad as it was last year,” Craig says.  “These people are helping keep the number of cases down. However if the public does their part with hand washing, social distancing and staying at home if they are sick, that will also help.”

Craig says that now, most cases are of the Delta variant, and the county has seen several positives last week. As a result, Fayette County Health Department is taking various steps to help curb the outbreak.

“We were testing every day, and twice on Fridays. Now, we have resumed testing twice per day. We have been seeing more children. Prior to the Delta variant, kids were going into the hospital for other things. Now they are having respiratory distress, and experiencing flu-like symptoms.”

Before, Craig explained, those 65 and older were the ones testing positive for symptoms. Now, she says, it is the younger crowd, mostly 12-30 years old who are testing positive.

“This is like the flu, which mutates and therefore there is a different vaccine each year. This is no different,” Craig said, adding that, “It is never too late to get vaccines.” She went on to say the health department is still vaccinating people on a weekly basis, and that she took a new supply of vaccines to Cain’s Pharmacy in Vandalia last week. “The more who are vaccinated, the less severe it will be.”

Craig says that only 24 percent of Fayette County residents are vaccinated.

“As an employee of the public health department, I encouraged those who have not yet done so to get the vaccine and to follow the CDC guidelines. If a person is apprehensive about it, do their research and make the decision which is best for you.”