The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Monday March 1, 2021

Brian Moline and Olivia Butts
 

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Monday March 1, 2021

Today's headlines:

  • The number of Illinoisans hospitalized for COVID-19 has fallen to a level not seen since nearly the beginning of the pandemic.

  • United Way officials say the number of Illinois residents seeking information about food, shelter, healthcare and jobs has been rising steadily during the pandemic.The calls come in via 211, a free service that provides callers with social service referrals 24 hours a day.

  • Area code 447 has just been added to the Champaign-Springfield region because 217 numbers are running low. Area residents now have to use all ten numbers to dial local numbers.

  • llinois public health officials report that residents have received more than 2.7 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine as of Sunday. The seven-day rolling average for vaccine doses per day in the state has increased to more than 79,000.

  • Champaign County public health officials say more than 28% of county residents age 16 and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and more than 15% have been fully vaccinated.

In today's deep dive, anyone who lacks health insurance has until mid-May to sign up for options offered through the Affordable Care Act. We hear details from one expert who can help people sign up.

217 Today is produced by Olivia Butts. Reporting today contributed by Hannah Meisel, Gwyn Skiles, Vivian La, and Christine Herman.