Will County Hospitals Struggle with Surge in Flu Patients

The surge in flu cases has overwhelmed hospitals in Will County, Illinois, leading to a significant increase in emergency room visits. Since Christmas, hundreds of individuals have sought treatment for respiratory illnesses, prompting health officials to issue warnings and recommendations for the community.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), hospital admissions doubled during the week of December 21-27, 2023, with nearly 20% of these admissions associated with acute respiratory infections. The state’s flu activity is currently classified as “very high,” reflecting the seriousness of the situation. Locally, the Will County Health Department has reported a dramatic rise in flu cases, with flu activity spiking in the last three weeks of December.

Kevin Juday, Communications Program Manager for the Will County Health Department, noted that flu cases began to rise significantly on December 6, when emergency departments started seeing more than ten flu cases daily. By December 16, that number surged to between 40 and 60 cases, culminating in over 100 emergency department visits around Christmas.

At Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, officials confirmed the alarming trend. From December 21 to January 4, the hospital’s two emergency rooms treated 250 flu-related visits, with 85 patients requiring admission. When combined with cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19, more than 500 patients with respiratory infections were seen at Silver Cross in the past two weeks.

While data from Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet was not specific, Mike Deering, Prime Healthcare’s Regional Director of Public Relations, reported that flu admissions at the facility had doubled from November to December. He emphasized that flu season is expected to persist for several months, urging residents to get vaccinated.

As of now, approximately 159,000 residents in Will County have received flu vaccinations since September, equating to about 22.7% of the county’s population. This figure slightly surpasses the state average of 21.9%. Despite this, flu vaccinations have decreased by approximately 13.5% compared to the previous year.

Even though recent trends show a slight decline in emergency room visits—averaging between 20 and 40 cases daily—health officials warn that the potential for spreading illness remains high, particularly as individuals return to work and school following the holiday season. The highest hospitalization rates for flu in Illinois are among children, followed by seniors aged 65 and older.

With students returning to schools after the winter break, parents are encouraged to take preventative measures. Sandy Zalewski, Director for Communications and Development at Joliet Public Schools District 86, stated, “We always encourage our families to keep their children home from school if they are sick, especially if they have a fever or flu symptoms.” She reiterated the importance of good hygiene practices, such as handwashing and avoiding sharing personal items.

State health officials have also released guidelines for reducing the risk of contracting or spreading flu, COVID-19, and RSV. Recommendations include staying up to date with vaccinations and practicing frequent handwashing. Dr. Sameer Vorha, IDPH Director, emphasized the effectiveness of vaccinations in preventing severe illness and urged residents to stay home when unwell or to wear masks in public if symptomatic.

For those who do fall ill, Silver Cross Hospital advises seeking medical care if experiencing difficulty breathing, high fever, chest pains, or if symptoms worsen over time. Antiviral treatments may be effective if administered within 48 hours of influenza symptoms appearing.

Health officials stress the importance of early medical attention, particularly for vulnerable populations such as seniors, young children, pregnant individuals, and caretakers of high-risk individuals. Prompt treatment can significantly improve health outcomes during this challenging flu season.