Marion County is back up to the ‘high’ level for community spread of COVID-19 in this week’s update by the CDC. All surrounding counties have also been placed in the ‘high’ category, except Clinton County which is in the moderate category.
Marion County had 135 new or probable cases of COVID-19 reported, a 22-percent increase over the prior week. There were seven new hospitalizations. Health Department Administrator Melissa Mallow reported no additional deaths during the past week by those who were COVID-19 positive. Only two congregate care facilities remain on outbreak status. One facility has 16 positives and the other seven.
Clinton County had 73 new cases, a drop of one percent from the prior week, and four new hospitalizations to fall into the medium category.
Jefferson County moves to the high category with 135 new cases, a six percent increase. There were three new hospitalizations.
Washington County saw 47 cases in the past week, an 88-percent increase. There were two hospitalizations.
Fayette County reported 64 new cases, a 25-percent drop, and two new hospitalizations.
Clay County had 72 new cases, a 33-percent increase, and one new hospitalization.
Wayne County had 61 new cases, a nine-percent decline, and two new hospitalizations.
Statewide there were 35,371 new cases over the past week along with 48 additional deaths. 66 of Illinois’ 102 counties are now rated at the high community level and an additional 31 at the medium community level.
As of Thursday night, there were 1,459 individuals in Illinois in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 153 were in the ICU and 43 on ventilators.
Those who are in high community level counties are recommended to wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status. Those who are high risk should take additional precautions.
