Ezike: Too early to tell if the Omicron variant has peaked

Posted on January 14, 2022
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. (WJBC file photo)

By IIS Radio

SPRINGFIELD – The state’s top public health doctor says it’s too soon to tell if the omicron variant has peaked.

Cases have been surging in recent weeks, hitting the highest levels of the entire pandemic. Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike says there has been a slight drop in cases the past couple of days, but that’s not enough of a trend to breathe a sign of relief yet.

“You really want to see a consistent decline,” said Ezike during a COVID-19 briefing early this week. “I will be the first to announce it when we can say that pretty confidently. I’m crossing my fingers and toes, but I just don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.”

The latest daily totals include more than 37,000 new cases and 142 additional deaths. Hospitalizations are at an all time high of 7,380.

WJBC News can be reached at [email protected]

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