Will County sees biggest COVID-19 hike since May

Health officials on Thursday announced 122 new cases of COVID-19 in Will County, the biggest single-day jump in the county in about two months.

Will County has seen a steady rise in cases over the last few weeks after the state lifted restrictions to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Steve Brandy, a spokesman for the county health department, said Will County appears to be experiencing an increase in the spread of the virus, a trend seen in other areas of the state.

"It's time not to say 'Oh it's not happening here,'" Brandy said. "It is happening here."

Brandy said Thursday's increase was the largest single-day increase likely since May 21 when the county reported 155 new cases.

The Illinois Department of Public Health noted in its data that Region 7 of the state, which includes Will and Kankakee counties, has seen seven days of positivity rate increases.

"We got to be careful," Brandy said.

He warned that if the present trend continues, Illinois could be headed toward renewed restrictions.

The health department also reported the death of a woman in her 90s, the first COVID-19 death reported since last week.

As of Thursday, there have been 8,417 COVID-19 cases reported in Will County.