Will County sees increasing COVID-19 test positivity rate

Transmission of the novel coronavirus is back on the upswing in Will County as vaccinations continue at a steady pace, according to the latest public health data.

The county’s rolling average COVID-19 test positivity rate stood at 3.1% as of Tuesday, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

While the mark is still considered to show low community spread, the county’s positivity rate has doubled in less than two weeks. On July 10, the positivity rate was 1.5% and has been under 2% since early June.

“We’re kind of concerned about it,” said Steve Brandy, a Will County Health Department spokesman, of the increasing numbers. “It’s getting a little more active out there.”

The increasing spread comes as the state is also seeing higher case numbers, especially among unvaccinated residents.

Vaccinations in Will County are also continuing at a slow pace, about 1,000 per day according to the IDPH. This week, the county reached 49% of its total population of more than 690,000 residents fully vaccinated.

The county health department has been focusing on holding pop-up COVID-19 vaccine clinics around the county at schools and community events to encourage more residents to get vaccinated.

Brandy said the department has been reaching out to mayors around the county to start planning for clinics. While he said the department has received a good response, they could always do more to get shots in arms.

For more information, including where to find the nearest clinic, visit willcountyhealth.org.