88 new cases in the Sauk Valley Friday; Phase 1b vaccinations could start next week

The Whiteside County Health Department announced 27 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday as well as 12 recoveries.

The new cases involved two people younger than 20, four in their 20s, six in their 30s, two in their 40s, six in their 50s, four in their 60s and three in their 70s.

Lee County announced 12 new cases Friday, one of which was from Dixon Correctional Center. There also were 51 recoveries.

Ogle County announced 41 new cases and 111 recoveries on Friday.

Carroll County has had eight new cases and 10 recoveries since Wednesday.

In addition, Phase 1b vaccinations could begin as early as next week for some area counties. Phase 1b covers those older than 65 as well as frontline workers at a high risk of exposure, such as law enforcement, educators, food service workers, corrections officers and those who work in shelters.

In Whiteside County, those falling into the Phase 1b category should visit the health department’s website at www.whitesidehealth.org/covid-19-information/covid-19-information.html.

In Lee County, registration for Phase 1b will be done at http://bit.ly/39GTrMS.

People in Ogle County who are part of Phase 1a or 1b can register at www.oglecounty.org/departments/health_department/new_page.php.

Whiteside County has had 5,323 cases, 4,920 recoveries and 134 deaths. Lee County has had 2,779 cases and 54 deaths. Ogle County has had 4,463 cases, 3,882 recoveries and 59 deaths. Carroll County has had 1,400 cases, 1,344 recoveries and 31 deaths.

Sterling has had 16,699 tests and 1,960 cases. Rock Falls has had 8,040 tests and 1,146 cases. Dixon has had 31,098 tests and 2,019 cases. Rochelle has had 9,722 tests and 1,455 cases.

The numbers for the North region (Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago counties) improved to the point that it is able to move to the Tier 2 mitigation level as of Friday, Gov. Pritzker announced.

The region has seen 11 consecutive days under the 12% positivity rate. The region’s positivity rate decreased to 8.1%. Currently, 23.6% of medical/surgical beds are available and 22.3% of ICU beds.

The region has 11 consecutive days above the 20% threshold for ICU bed availability, and 11 consecutive days above the 20% threshold for medical/surgical bed availability.

Within this region, DeKalb County’s positivity rate decreased to 9.2%, Ogle County’s rate increased slightly to 9.8%, Lee County’s rate decreased to 2.0%, and Whiteside County’s rate decreased to 6.9%.

Hospitalizations have decreased 7 out of the past 10 days in this region.

Illinois on Friday announced 6,642 cases and 123 deaths. There have been 1,059,324 cases and 18,049 deaths in the state.