The Marion County Health Department has reported the 93rd death in the county from COVID-19 related illness. The man was in his 70s and not a long term care resident.
The Illinois Department of Public Health reported a total of 181 additional deaths on Friday. They included a male in his 80s and a female in her 90s in Clay County, males in their 50s and 80s in Jefferson County along with a female in her 60s, as well as a male in his 70s in Wayne County.
A total of 7,377 new cases were reported statewide. They include 70 new cases in Marion County. Five were long-term care residents and seven were students. Only two were attending classes in person during their infectious period.
The health department is now reporting 278 active cases, including 14 in the hospital. Three of those were on ventilators. 121 were released from isolation on Friday, bringing the total number recovered to 2,365.
The Clinton County Health Department is reporting 47 new positive cases. 492 are on home isolation and 11 are hospitalized.
The Jefferson County Health Department had 41 new positive cases. 351 are currently in isolation.
The Fayette County Health Department is reporting 35 new cases. 11 are linked to a congregate-care facility.
The Clay County Health Department had 12 new cases on Thursday.
The Wayne County Health Department has reported 23 new lab-confirmed cases. There are currently 148 isolating at home and seven in the hospital.
The Statewide positivity rate has dropped to an even eight-percent. The Southern Illinois Region positivity rate for the week ending December 15th is 11.7-percent. The Marion County rate has dropped to single digits at 9.5-percent. The Metro East Region remains at 12-percent. The East Central Illinois Region remains at 8.4-percent positivity.
