CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - As COVID-19 hospitalizations in Illinois are on the rise, experts are sharing tips for how to stay safe this holiday season.
“COVID isn’t going anywhere anytime soon,” says Dr. Emily Landon with the UChicago Medicine.
COVID-related hospitalizations are up 17 percent in Illinois.
Landon says though the risk is lower than in recent years that doesn't mean we shouldn't be taking precautions. She advises those seeing family during the holiday season to mask up or stay home if they wake up not feeling well, even if an at-home COVID test shows up negative.
"Taking a rapid test at home at that early in symptoms may not really show us anything,” Landon says. “It's highly likely to be negative, even if you have COVID, and, even if you don't have COVID, you could have influenza or RSV and spreading that to other people around you could be just as dangerous.”
She says it’s vital to pay attention that first day you start feeling sick.
"When you're feeling a little bit under the weather, but you aren't sure if it's just because you worked out too hard,or you drank too much, or whatever, that's the day when you're the most contagious, and most likely to spread to other people,” Landon says.
When in doubt, she says wear a mask.
"I gotta tell you, they work, and there is ample evidence that they absolutely work. If you are sick, put a mask on your face,” Landon says.
She also encourages everyone to get updated flu and COVID vaccines.
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