Public health experts are reporting that Illinois nursing homes have seen a decrease in COVID-19 infections following the campaign to vaccinate residents and staff. In December 2020, COVID-19 infections in nursing homes accounted for 9.4 percent of all COVID-19 infections in Illinois. However, after vaccinations have been distributed, that figure is down to 3.1 percent.
COVID-19 deaths among nursing home residents are also falling. In December 2020, Illinois logged a single week with 605 nursing home resident deaths. However, in the past week, the Illinois Department of Public Health (“IDPH”) recorded only 198 deaths.
CVS and Walgreens have contracts to vaccinate residents and staff in Illinois nursing homes. Since December 28, 2020, the pharmacies have administered only 131,401 of the 496,100 doses allocated for residents and staff members of long-term care facilities, according to the IDPH. To read more reporting by the WBEZ on COVID-19 vaccinations in Illinois nursing homes, click here.