COVID cases are up, and Sangamon County is now classified as a community with HIGH levels of the virus. Appearing on the WTAX Morning Newswatch, Gail O’Neil with the Department of Public Health…says the number of hospitalized COVID patients contribute to that classification.

O’Neil recommends vaccinations for both COVID and the flu to prevent or reduce the severity of potential illness from the viruses. She says it takes about two weeks to build up immunity from the shot.