Friday, April 16, 2021
Dear colleagues,
Our top priority at IDHS is to keep all of our staff, customers, patients, and residents as safe as possible. Regardless of your vaccination status, please do continue to take precautions in public places -- wearing a mask, staying six feet apart from others, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, and washing your hands often are still important. These precautions and requirements remain in place in all State offices and facilities and are still critical to help control the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since the beginning of March, test positivity rates across the State have more than doubled. Many of these cases involve variants of the virus that have the potential to spread rapidly.
Acting with an abundance of caution, consistently, right now, regardless of your vaccination status, is critical in the continued fight against COVID-19. This is the best way we can support each other and protect those who have not yet had the opportunity to get fully vaccinated.
I am so encouraged by the increasing number of vaccinations and availability of vaccines. Many of you have been involved in the effort to fully vaccinate nearly 10,000 people and deliver over 16,000 vaccines. More and more appointments are open every day. If you haven't already, please get vaccinated. It's the surest and safest way to protect yourself from serious illness and hospitalization from COVID-19 and the best way to protect yourself and your community.
Thank you for your vigilance as we continue to move forward towards recovery.
Sincerely,
Grace
Grace B. Hou
Secretary, IDHS
