Flu ER Visits Tripled In Suburbs: Health Department

COOK COUNTY, IL — If it seems more people are sick with the flu this winter than usual, they are, according to the Cook County Department of Health. Respiratory surveillance data has revealed flu activity in suburban Cook County rose from low to high between Dec. 14 and Dec. 20.

Health officials said Tuesday, emergency room visits associated with the flu have nearly tripled. For children, emergency room visits for the flu are twice as high as this time last year. The agency said respiratory syncytial virus and COVID activity remain low, but are increasing.

CCDPH is advising Cook County residents to protect themselves from serious respiratory illness by getting flu and COVID shots. Children at least six months old and adults can get free flu and COVID shots at Cook County's vaccination clinics most Saturdays through March 28.

CDPH, in conjunction with Cook County Health and CountyCare, is offering vaccinations on rotating Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in five suburban Cook County locations. No appointment is needed. Those locations are:

• Jan. 3: Blue Island Health Center, 12757 S. Western Ave., Blue Island
• Jan. 10: Cottage Grove Health Center, 1645 South Cottage Grove Ave., Ford Heights
• Jan. 17: Robbins Health Center, 13450 South Kedzie Ave., Robbins
• Jan. 24: Arlington Heights Health Center, 3250 North Arlington Heights Road, Suite 300, Arlington Heights

Health officials remind residents that a person's immigration status will not stop them from receiving immunizations. In addition, insurance is not required, but community members are asked to bring an I.D. and insurance card, if available. Access the full schedule for the clinics can be found here.

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