The number of deaths and new COVID-19 cases dropped dramatically on Saturday, which is likely the result of the Christmas Holiday slowing tests and test results.
The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 3,293 new cases and 66 additional deaths. The only death in South Central Illinois is a male in his 70’s reported on Christmas Eve by the Jefferson County Health Department. Other Southern Illinois deaths were reported in Jackson, Madison, Randolph, and Saline Counties.
The statewide positivity rate has dropped to 6.8-percent for the past seven days. The Southern Illinois Region seven day positivity rate for the week ending December 23rd remains at 12.2-percent. The Marion County positivity rate is at 10.2-percent. The Metro-East Region rate is 11.6-percent. The East Central Illinois Region is at 9-percent.
