Will County Hospitals Overwhelmed as Flu Cases Surge

Cases of respiratory illnesses, particularly influenza, have surged in Will County, Illinois, leading to increased emergency room visits. Since December 2023, local hospitals have reported a significant influx of patients, particularly around the Christmas holiday. The Illinois Department of Public Health noted that hospital admissions doubled during the week of December 21-27, with nearly 20% attributed to acute respiratory infections. The state has categorized flu activity as “very high,” indicating a growing public health concern.

The Will County Health Department confirmed that flu cases began to rise sharply on December 6, when emergency departments recorded over 10 cases per day. By mid-December, this number escalated to between 40 and 60 daily cases, culminating in over 100 emergency room visits related to the flu in the days surrounding Christmas. Kevin Juday, Communications Program Manager for the health department, stated, “Flu activity spiked during the last three weeks in December.”

Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox corroborated these figures, reporting 250 flu-related emergency room visits from December 21 to January 4, with 85 patients requiring hospitalization. In total, the hospital treated over 500 patients for respiratory illnesses during this period, which included cases of RSV and COVID-19. Meanwhile, Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet observed a doubling of flu admissions from November to December, according to Mike Deering, Regional Director of Public Relations for Prime Healthcare.

In terms of vaccination, approximately 159,000 residents in Will County have received flu vaccines since September 2023, amounting to about 22.7% of the population. This figure slightly exceeds the state average of 21.9%. However, the Will County Health Department indicated that vaccination rates have decreased by approximately 13.5% compared to the same period last year. Although emergency room visits have shown a slight decline recently, averaging 20 to 40 cases daily, health officials remain concerned about potential illness spread as residents return to work and school after the holidays.

Children, followed by seniors over 65, are experiencing the highest hospitalization rates due to influenza. With schools reopening, parents are urged to take preventative measures. Sandy Zalewski, Director for Communications and Development at Joliet Public Schools District 86, emphasized the importance of keeping sick children at home. She stated, “We always encourage our families to keep their children home from school if they are sick, especially if they have a fever or flu symptoms.”

School officials are promoting hygiene practices among students, including regular hand washing and staying hydrated. The Illinois Department of Public Health has also issued guidelines to help mitigate the spread of respiratory illnesses. These include receiving eligible vaccinations, frequent hand washing, and staying home when ill.

Dr. Sameer Vorha, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, reinforced the importance of vaccinations in preventing severe illness from flu, COVID-19, and RSV. He stated, “Vaccinations remain the most effective tool to prevent severe illness from flu, COVID-19, and RSV.” Additionally, he emphasized simple practices such as covering coughs and sneezes, maintaining good ventilation, and staying home when sick.

If individuals fall ill, Silver Cross Hospital advises seeking medical attention if symptoms worsen, particularly if experiencing difficulty breathing or high fever. Early intervention with antiviral treatments can significantly reduce symptom severity and recovery time, particularly if administered within 48 hours of flu onset.

Health officials urge vulnerable populations, including seniors, young children, pregnant individuals, and those with chronic health conditions, to seek medical care promptly if symptoms arise. Taking these precautions can help mitigate the impact of the ongoing flu outbreak in Will County and beyond.