Christmas Isn't Canceled: CDC Holiday Guidance

ILLINOIS — Halloween is almost here, and Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner.

Illinoisans and Americans still face high numbers of daily COVID-19 cases, though there has been a sharp decline nationally since mid-September, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of Oct.15, the seven-day average for U.S. cases was just over 80,000, according to CDC data.

Last week in Illinois, state health officials reported 15,669 new cases of the coronavirus and 184 deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. About 69 percent of Illinoisans have received at least one dose of a vaccine, and 54 percent are fully vaccinated, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

As of Friday, 1,550 were hospitalized statewide with COVID-19, including 341 in intensive care and 172 on ventilators.

In total, 1.67 million Illinoisans have been sickened by the coronavirus, and 25,407 have died.

The CDC issued updated holiday guidance on Friday, laying out how Americans can stay safe while trick-or-treating, gathering around the table for a turkey dinner or otherwise while celebrating the holidays with family.

Here’s what Americans need to know to celebrate safely:

The CDC says getting vaccinated is the best way to stay safe and protect others — including young children who can't get the vaccine yet. Health officials will meet Oct. 26 to consider Pfizer’s application to allow emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine for kids as young as 5.

RELATED: Pfizer Vaccine For Children: When Will It Be Approved In IL?

According to research from the CDC, an unvaccinated person is six times more likely to test positive with the coronavirus and 11 times more likely to die from COVID-19, compared to a fully vaccinated person.

And while fully vaccinated people can be contagious if they catch the virus, they catch it less often and get less sick than those who haven't gotten a shot.

Anyone over the age of 2 who is not fully vaccinated should wear a well-fitted mask indoors in public, health officials say. If your community has lots of COVID cases, wear a mask indoors even if you're vaccinated.

Americans should avoid crowded and poorly ventilated spaces — it’s safer to be outdoors, federal health officials say.

For anyone who may be sick or has symptoms, the message is to stay home and avoid others. Anyone who is sick — or who has been around someone who is — should get tested.

The CDC issued additional guidelines for anyone with a weakened immune system, who may not be fully protected by the vaccine. The CDC advises immunocompromised people to continue taking precautions until their health care provider says otherwise.

Regardless of transmission levels, if someone in your household is at increased risk, has a weakened immune system or hasn’t been vaccinated, the CDC says people should consider wearing a mask in those situations.

Those gathering with multiple households should also take additional measures, like getting tested and avoiding crowded indoor places before traveling, the agency says.

Anyone traveling for the holidays should consult the CDC’s travel page.