COVID-19 Hospitalizations Drop After Recent Surge In Lake, McHenry Counties

Grayslake IL

14 October, 2021

8:48 AM

Description

By Sam Borcia, the Lake & McHenry County Scanner LAKE AND MCHENRY COUNTIES, IL — State data shows that new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to decline in Lake and McHenry counties to the lowest levels since July. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reports Illinois' statewide seven-day average case positivity rate is 2 percent. The current COVID-19 wave peaked in early September and cases, hospitalizations and deaths have all been on a decline since, according to IDPH. Sign up for Patch newsletters and breaking news updates In Lake County, the test positivity rate was 2.1 percent as of Friday, which is the lowest since July. In McHenry County, the test positivity rate was 3 percent as of Friday, which is also the lowest for the county since July. READ MORE: 4th Surge Leading To 'Burnout' For Doctors, NursesState data shows both counties have "minimal" new adult and youth cases. Most counties in Illinois are still marked as "high transmission" by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which recommends people in counties with high and substantial transmission wear masks indoors. [Suggested Article] Algonquin-based School District 300 says board members and staff have faced threats, abuse over COVID-19 plans Last week, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he was waiting for a further decline in COVID-19 cases before lifting the state's mask mandate. Pritzker had an indoor mask mandate in place for more than a year until he let the order expire in May. He then re-instituted a mask mandate in July for all indoor gatherings. IDPH data shows 80.7% of Illinois residents 12 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine, while 63.2% of them are fully vaccinated. Lake and McHenry County Scanner is a local breaking news website covering issues that matter such as shootings, stabbings, house fires, kidnappings, car accidents, and more around Lake County and McHenry County. MORE ON PATCH Hampshire High To Switch To Remote Learning Amid COVID COVID-19 Outbreak Reported At Camp In Region 9: IDPH4th Surge Leading To 'Burnout' For Doctors, Nurses