Lee County downgraded from high risk of COVID-19 spread

Whiteside County designated low risk

After providing the sample and having it scanned, a vial is placed in a holder during COVID-19 Shield Illinois testing at Sterling High School.

Coronavirus cases decreased by half in Lee County across the week, and it was downgraded from high risk of virus spread.

Whiteside County had 105 cases during the last 7 days, according to the most recent information available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 data tracker Monday. There were 97 cases the week before.

The positivity rate for the last 7 days is at 8.44% from 7.09% and the case rate is 190.30 per 100,000 people. There were four new hospitalizations.

Lee County had 46 cases, compared with 108 cases the week prior and is at a 6.39% positivity rate, from 8.49%. The case rate is 134.91 per 100,000 people, and there were four new hospitalizations.

Ogle County had 84 cases across the week compared with 153, with a positivity rate of 7.2%, from 10%,. The case rate is 165.87 per 100,000 people, and there were six new hospitalizations.

Carroll County reported 27 cases, compared with 17 the previous week, and a positivity rate of 19.4%, from 9.84%.

Lee and Ogle counties are at medium risk for COVID-19 community spread, and Whiteside and Carroll counties are at low risk.

As of late Sunday, Illinois had 1,071 COVID-19 patients in the hospital, a decrease of 28 patients from Friday. Of those, 132 were in intensive care units, and 41 were on ventilators.

In high transmission areas, residents should wear a mask while in public indoor settings regardless of vaccination status, avoid crowded indoor settings and stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, according to the CDC.

The CDC recommends wearing a mask indoors to protect those at high risk for severe illness from a COVID-19 infection including adults older than 50, those with underlying medical conditions, and the immunocompromised; socializing outdoors if possible and avoiding poorly ventilated indoor settings; getting tested before attending a family or public event; contacting your doctor to get treatment for COVID-19 if you are diagnosed, and getting any COVID-19 vaccine boosters that you are eligible for.

Rachel Rodgers

Rachel Rodgers

Rachel Rodgers joined Sauk Valley Media in 2016 covering local government in Dixon and Lee County.