The Illinois Department of Public Health reported another 156 deaths from COVID-19 related causes on Christmas Day, including one in Washington County. The state reports a male in his 80s died. He was the 20th death during the pandemic in Washington County. Other Southern Illinois deaths were in Massac, Richland, St. Clair, and White Counties.
Another 5,742 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease were reported. The statewide positivity rate continued to fall and is now at 7.1-percent. However, the rates remain higher in the Southern part of the state. For the Southern Illinois Region that includes Marion, Jefferson, and Wayne Counties it is now 12.2-percent for the week ending December 22nd. Marion County’s has jumped to 10.3-percent. The Metro East Region that includes Clinton and Washington County has a positivity rate of 11.7-percent. The East Central Illinois Region that includes Fayette and Clay Counties is 9.1-percent.
The number of patients in hospitals statewide is coming down. 4,352 were reported to be hospitalized from COVID-19 related causes on Thursday night. 928 were in ICU and 538 were on ventilators.
