Categories: Chicago

COVID-19 Warning Issued to Four Counties

COVID-19 cases are leveling off in Illinois as just over 1,500 new cases were reported on Friday. However, the Department of Public Health has issued formal warnings to four counties where the positivity rate is rising on coronavirus testing. On Friday, the Illinois Department of Public Health confirmed 1,532 new cases that are, down from 1,624 on Thursday to end a streak of daily increases.

Since Memorial Day, Thursday’s total had been the highest. The state’s total tally is 168,457, while the statewide death toll reached 7,385 with 19 new deaths. The state had administered a record 44,330 tests to produce a positivity rate of 3.5 percent, consistent with the seven-day rate of 3.4 percent. Compared to earlier in the week, hospitalizations were slightly down. Gov. Pritzker issued a warning to the Metro East region for rising positivity rates.

On Friday, four counties were singled out by the Department of Public Health as they issued warnings about a rising risk of COVID-19 affections in the area. The counties are:

  • Adams County, including Quincy. The blame for the rise is on “larger social events, health-care exposure, travel to hot spots including those in neighboring Missouri and Iowa, places of worship, and youth sports.”
  • LaSalle County, southwest of Naperville. The blames was put on large family and social gatherings, younger people visiting bars and attending larger social events, and inconsistencies with masking requirements.
  • Peoria County. The blame was on “increases in cases among people younger than 29 years, large gatherings including Fourth of July parties, and people traveling to Florida, Iowa, Texas, and Wisconsin.”
  • Randolph County, directly south of St. Louis in the Metro East area. The blame for the rising cases was on “congregate settings, numerous bars not complying with distancing and masking, a large party with more than 200 people, and among households.”
Gabriella Remillard

Staff writer for the Chicago Morning Star

Recent Posts

Twins Aim for Sweep Against Cubs in Series Finale

The Minnesota Twins will attempt to complete a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs on Thursday afternoon, wrapping up the…

2 days ago

AI Deepfake Voicemails Target High-Level Officials

In June, an advanced impersonation campaign used artificial intelligence to target senior U.S. and international leaders by posing as Secretary…

2 days ago

Nvidia Becomes World’s Most Valuable Public Company

Nvidia Corp. has officially become the most valuable publicly traded company in the world, reaching a historic $4 trillion market…

3 days ago

How to Stay Safe From Bug Bites This Summer

Warm Weather Brings More Bug Bites—Here’s What You Need to KnowAs Chicagoans embrace the outdoors during summer, the increase in…

3 days ago

Blue Jays Win 10th Straight in Rain-Shortened Game

The Toronto Blue Jays extended their winning streak to 10 games Tuesday night with a 6–1 rain-shortened win over the…

4 days ago

AT&T to Pay $177M Over Massive Customer Data Breaches

AT&T has agreed to pay $177 million to settle two class-action lawsuits stemming from major data breaches that exposed the…

4 days ago