Champaign-Urbana Public Health District

Press Releases

Sep 9, 2022 CUPHD Expands Bivalent Vaccine Eligibility to Individuals Aged 50 and Older
Eligibility Will Continue to Expand to the General Public on September 14th.

CHAMPAIGN, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) has expanded eligibility for the COVID-19 bivalent vaccination clinics to those aged 50 and older starting today, September 9th. Clinics will be held beginning the week of September 12th, Monday through Thursday, 8:30am- 4:00pm. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be available.

Starting September 14th, eligibility will open to everyone aged 12 and... more...

Sep 6, 2022 New COVID-19 Bivalent Boosters Now Available
CUPHD to Host Bivalent Vaccination Clinics Starting Next Week

CHAMPAIGN, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will be hosting COVID-19 bivalent vaccination clinics beginning the week of September 12. Clinics will be held Monday through Thursday with both Pfizer and Moderna vaccine available.

On September 1, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' (ACIP) recommendations for use of updated COVID-
endorsed the CDC 19 boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech for people ages 12 years and older and from Moderna for people ages 18 years and older. The updated COVID-19 boosters add Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 spike protein components to the current vaccine composition, helping to restore protection that has waned since previous vaccination by targeting variants that are more transmissible and immune-evading.

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Sep 1, 2022 Second Bat Tests Positive for Rabies in Champaign County
CHAMPAIGN, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) urges the public to be aware of rabid animals, in particular bats, after two bats in Champaign County have tested positive for rabies over the past several months.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. It can spread to people and pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal. In the United States, rabies is mostly found in wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. However, in many other countries dogs still carry rabies, and most rabies deaths in people around the world are caused by dog bites. Rabies can be prevented by vaccinating pets, staying away from wildlife, and seeking medical care after potential exposures before symptoms... more...

Aug 30, 2022 International Overdose Awareness Day is August 31st
CHAMPAIGN, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) recognizes August 31st as International Overdose Awareness Day. International Overdose Awareness Day strives to honor the lives lost to drug overdose and its impact on victim's friends, family, and the public at large.

In the United States, overdose-related deaths have been on the rise in the last two decades. Over 107,000 Americans died from a drug-related overdose in 2021. The opioid epidemic's impact has also influenced these numbers. In Illinois, 3,494 individuals died from a drug-related overdose in 2021. In Champaign County, 41 people died from an opioid overdose in 2021. Considering these statistics, it's important to note that for every reported overdose, there are countless others that go... more...

Aug 30, 2022 Champaign County COVID-19 Community Level High
CHAMPAIGN, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) announces that COVID-19 community level transmission in Champaign County is high and strongly recommends that everyone wear a mask when indoors in public spaces. The level of transmission is based on three indicators which includes new case rate per 100,000 population, percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients and new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population.

According to Julie Pryde, CUPHD Administrator, "The number of cases in the community and on-campus have increased about 50% in the last one week. Based on trends from previous years, we are likely to experience higher spread in the next 10 days. Indoor masking and staying at home when sick with symptoms will help reduce this... more...

Aug 10, 2022 Update to Monkeypox Case in County Daycare Worker
CHAMPAIGN, IL - Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is providing an update on the case of monkeypox associated with a daycare worker in Rantoul, Ill. With the assistance of Carle Health and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), CUPHD has conducted screenings on all adults and children and offered the Jynneos vaccine to all who had potential exposure. As of today, there have been no cases of secondary spread, meaning no one else associated with the known case of monkeypox has tested positive, including no one at the daycare and no one in the home. The case is currently in isolation and doing... more...

Aug 5, 2022 CUPHD Officials Investigate Monkeypox Case at Champaign County Daycare
CHAMPAIGN, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), announced today that they are investigating a case of monkeypox associated with a daycare located in Rantoul, IL.

CUPHD, IDPH and Carle Health are working closely with an adult case at the daycare. There are no other cases at this time but a complete assessment is being conducted of all adults and children at the facility. If a child that's enrolled and has had a potential exposure, the parent or guardian will be contacted by... more...

Aug 1, 2022 Changes to COVID-19 Operations at CUPHD
Contact Tracing to End August 15

CHAMPAIGN, IL - Starting August 15, Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will no longer reach out to persons who test positive for COVID-19.

"While COVID will continue to persist in our county, we are entering a period where state and federal mandates are being rescinded, funding is being reduced, and resources are being reallocated," said Administrator Julie Pryde. "This is not a reason to be complacent; rather, we believe that Champaign County residents have the knowledge and tools readily available to them to adopt effective precautions to prevent COVID-19 infections and to make timely care decisions if they have a positive COVID-19... more...

Jul 28, 2022 World Breastfeeding Week is August 1st-7th
CHAMPAIGN, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is excited to announce a new campaign launching August 1, 2022, to collect breastfeeding supplies for parents enrolled in the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor program. This program provides support to expectant and postpartum parents to learn about breastfeeding and overcome obstacles they may face in their journey to accomplish their individual breastfeeding goals.
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Jul 12, 2022 Officials Confirm First Probable Case of Monkeypox Virus in Champaign County
CHAMPAIGN, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (C-UPHD) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), announced today a single presumptive monkeypox case in an adult male Champaign County resident with recent travel history to Chicago.

Initial testing was completed Friday, July 8, 2022, at an IDPH laboratory, and confirmatory testing for monkeypox is pending at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Based on initial epidemiologic characteristics and the positive orthopoxvirus result at IDPH, health officials consider this a probable monkeypox infection.

C-UPHD and IDPH are working closely with the CDC to identify individuals with whom the patient may have been in contact while they were infectious. This contact tracing approach is appropriate given the nature and transmission of the virus. The person did not require hospitalization and is isolating at home in good condition. To protect patient confidentiality, no further details... more...