(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois health officials are raising a red flag about a triple threat of respiratory illnesses this winter. Already across the state, there has been a seasonal uptick for the flu, COVID-19, and the RSV Virus. As a result, mask mandates are back at several statewide hospitals and healthcare facilities. The most recent weekly data shows thousands of new hospitalizations due to COVID-19 with 18 counties in Illinois listed at the high level for hospitalizations compared to 14 the week before. Go to www.dph.illinois.gov for more.
(SPRINGFIELD) The state of Illinois’ cost for health and social services has seen a 32% hike from 2019 to 2023, according to recently released documents. Health and social services, such as Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and child support, are among those that make up 46% of government spending in Illinois. The state’s cost increased from $31 billion in 2019 to $48.7 billion last year, in 2023.
(SPRINGFIELD) Animal shelters around Illinois continue to deal with a respiratory sickness affecting dogs. Officials say the illness, which first emerged in several states last November, has spread quickly throughout Illinois and other neighboring states. In fact, some shelters have been forced to temporarily suspend animal intakes to deal with the sickness and to help keep it from spreading.