Full Notification

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM MAYOR GRASSO ON COVID-19
Monday, March 1, 2021
MORE VACCINE EXPECTED - “MASK FOR US”
 

We are in our thirteenth month of COVID-19 dominating our lives. The Governor’s initial Stay At Home Order was effective March 20, 2020 (and was to end April 7). Nonetheless, the pandemic continues to challenge our economic, physical and mental resources. The biggest difference today from a month ago is that vaccinations are now the focus of the conversation to defeat the virus.

I attended the DuPage County Board of Health call today. Positivity rates (now about 2.5%), availability of hospital beds, and new admissions did not dominate the conversation as during past calls. The discussion is now about availability of vaccine, the number of those vaccinated, and how well the state is rolling out vaccine and a growing amount of vaccine locations. Here are some stats for DuPage; even if you live on the Cook side of Burr Ridge, these stats give some idea of where we are and how much farther we must travel. DuPage has a population of about 922,000; 137,000 have received one vaccination and 62,000 have received both. There are about 270,000 eligible for Phase 1B. DuPage is on pace to vaccinate 8,500 this week – behind what it wanted to be doing by now – but projected to be vaccinating about 16,000 a week starting March 15. Here is the supply issue – if one dose of Pfizer or Moderna is given, then the second dose has to held so that person can complete the 2-shot protocol. Pfizer has a 3-week window; Moderna’s window is 4 weeks. Right now, there is simply a lack of first dose supply. The reserved second doses cannot be used to give someone a first dose. Thus, keeping the vaccine spigot open wide is the key to success against the virus.

The good news is that availability of vaccine will increase from both Pfizer and Moderna, and now we can add the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine to the arsenal. The J&J shot is purported to be 86% effective against getting a severe case of COVID – and reportedly has been almost 100% effective in keeping its vaccinated patients out of the hospital. Also, J&J included many minorities in their trials and also conducted significant amounts of trials in South Africa – which included patients with the South African variant. J&J needs refrigeration, but importantly does not need freezing like Pfizer (extreme cold) and Moderna.

On February 1, Burr Ridge had a total of 933 COVID cases (651 - DuPage and 282 – Cook); today, the total is 980 (DuPage – 660 and 320 – Cook). “Only” 47 new cases in four weeks. Vaccines are still being administered to Phase 1B eligible Illinois residents – those who are essential workers (as defined) and those age 65 and over. Remember, if you are a Burr Ridge resident and eligible to be vaccinated, you can access [email protected] and register with our own Burr Ridge vaccination site at Metro Infectious Disease Consultants at 901 McClintock Drive. Janet and I receive our second shot tomorrow. It’s vital we all remain vigilant, positive, and dedicated to winning this fight.