A DeWitt County healthcare executive is growing concerned about the capacity of Illinois hospitals to handle the surge of COVID cases and is encouraging the public to get vaccinated.

On the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, CEO of Warner Hospital in Clinton Paul Skowron told Regional Radio News Illinois is doing better than some but is growing concerned as more people need hospital beds and the capacity just isn't available in Illinois.

Skowron continues to be impressed by the community's respect for space in public. He says distancing makes a big difference and continues to push for the public to get vaccinated as well.

Downstate Illinois' vaccine hesitancy has been well documented and much maligned by Illinois health authorities. Skowron hopes the FDA approval of vaccines this week will give a boost to those who remain hesitant as well as the mandates that will likely be forthcoming in light of the FDA approval.

Skowron says you can get your vaccine at nearly any pharmaceutical retailer or you can walk into the DeWitt/Piatt Bi-County Health Department and receive the vaccine there as well. Additionally, healthcare providers have access to vaccines.