Both the health department and OSF Saint Luke Medical Center are asking patients and visitors to once again wear face masks when visiting their facilities.

The mask policy change took effect on Monday for the health department and its clinics and will take effect on Tuesday for the hospital after state health officials announced last week that the overall respiratory illness level had been moved from low to moderate.

The increase to the moderate level means that Illinois residents face an increased chance of exposure to seasonal illnesses as families gather to celebrate the holidays.

Samantha Rux, public relations and communications coordinator for OSF HealthCare, released a statement to The Kewanee Voice announcing the change to both the mask policy and to the hospital’s visitor policy.

“Due to widespread respiratory illnesses in our communities, including COVID-19, influenza and RSV, OSF HealthCare strongly encourages masks to be worn by patients and visitors beginning on Tuesday, Dec. 31. To ensure a safe and comfortable environment for everyone, we are temporarily asking for a limit of two adult visitors (age 18+) per patient at a time, with consideration for exceptions such as end-of-life situations or younger visitors,” the statement read.

RaeAnn Tucker, director of health promotions for the Henry & Stark County Health Department, said that the health departments and clinics have also implemented a mask policy.

“We will continue to monitor state and local respiratory illness levels and data,” she said.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Seasonal Respiratory Illness Dashboard, hospital admissions for COVID, the flu and RSV all ticked up in the week ending Dec. 14. The percentage of emergency department visits due to respiratory illness also increased from 13.8 percent in the previous week to 14.7 percent. The state is also continuing to see a rise in ICU admissions due to RSV, driven by children 0-4 years old.

“As expected, Illinois is experiencing an increase in seasonal respiratory illnesses as winter arrives,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “As we gather with our loved ones during the holiday season, please use all the tools at your disposal to protect friends and family who are most vulnerable to severe outcomes. This includes those who are over 65, very young children and people who are immunosuppressed.”

The health department is reminding residents that there are ways to protect themselves and others from COVID-19 and other infections during the holidays. The department offers the following tips:

• Stay up to date with COVID-19 & Flu vaccines
• Know what to do if you’re exposed
• Clean hands frequently
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing
• Stay at home when you are sick for at least 24 hours, until both are true: your symptoms are getting better overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
• Avoid contact with others who are sick
• And feel free to wear a mask

The HSCHD and First Choice Healthcare offer Pfizer updated Covid-19 shots for all adults and children 6 months and older at its clinics in Kewanee, Colona and Toulon. Covid-19 shots are available by appointment at all locations. Call the First Choice Healthcare location nearest you: Kewanee 309-852-5272; Colona 309-792-4011 or Toulon 309-852-3115.