Three area counties are among 25 statewide that are on the warning level list for a high number of COVID-19 cases. They are Marion, Jefferson, and Washington County.
Meanwhile, the state’s top public health Doctor Ngozi Ezike says we are now in a pandemic of the unvaccinated. She says those at most risk of the virus right now are the people who haven’t gotten their shots.
“The overwhelming majority, we’re talking about 90 percent of the cases, 90-percent of the hospitalizations, and 90-plus percent of the deaths are among the unvaccinated,” said Ezike.
Illinois reported 7,983 new cases of COVID-19 in the past week, up from 4,400 cases for the prior week. There were an additional 47 deaths.
Marion County is on the warning list because the county’s seven-day positivity rate is up to 6.5-percent. 31-percent of the county’s ICU beds are available.
Jefferson County’s positivity rate is at 6.1-percent. Only 17.7-percent of the county’s ICU beds are available.
Washington County’s positivity rate is up to 8.5-percent. 32-percent of ICU beds are available.
More than 73-percent of adult Illinoisans have received at least one dose and over 58-percent are now fully vaccinated. In Marion County, just over 31-percent of those over 12 are vaccinated.
St. Louis and St. Louis County officials announced on Friday that they will reinstate mask requirements beginning Monday because of the growing number of COVID-19 cases. They will be required in indoor public places and on public transportation. Even those who have been vaccinated will have to wear the mask. Masks will strongly be encouraged for outdoor activities, especially in group settings, but will not be mandatory.
