STATE OFFICIALS ARE CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE RECENT DECLINE IN COVID-19 NUMBERS IN ILLINOIS. 

IT LOOKS LIKE THE OMICRON SURGE HAS HIT ITS PEAK, WITH A DROP IN CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS SINCE REACHING RECORD HIGHS ONE WEEK AGO SAYS GOVERNOR J-B PRITZKER. THAT INCLUDES A NEARLY 12 PERCENT DECREASE IN COVID HOSPITALIZATIONS OVER THE PAST SEVEN DAYS, ALTHOUGH JUST 10 PERCENT OF I-C-U BEDS ACROSS THE STATE ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.

THE GOVERNOR CONTINUES TO URGE ILLINOISANS TO GET THE VACCINE AND COVID BOOSTER, AND URGES THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY DONE SO TO REACH OUT TO OTHERS WHO MAY STILL BE HESTITANT. STATE PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR DOCTOR NGOZI (en-gahzi) EZIKE (eh-zee-kay) SAYS THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE'RE OUT OF THE WOODS YET.

AT LATEST COUNT, THERE WERE MORE THAN 65-HUNDRED ILLINOIS COVID PATIENTS IN THE HOSPITAL AND JUST 10 PERCENT OF I-C-U BEDS STATEWIDE ARE AVAILABLE. EZIKE SAYS THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS STILL UNDER TREMENDOUS PRESSURE WITH SO MANY CASES OF THE VIRUS.