The State of Illinois has reached a key metric originally designed to let the state reduce COVID-19 restrictions. 70-percent of those 65 and older have now received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, as long as new hospital admissions continue to increase, the state will not advance.
The number of cases of COVID-19 has also been going up statewide, although most of the issues appear centered in Chicago and northern Illinois. Health officials continue to urge all residents to continue to mask up, socially distance, and avoid crowds to reduce transmission and bring the metrics back in line to transition to the Bridge Phase.
Another 2,592 new cases of COVID-19 were reported on Wednesday along with 28 additional deaths. None of the deaths were in South Central Illinois, but one of the deaths was a female in her 90s in Franklin County in deep Southern Illinois.
The Marion County Health Department is not issuing a local update for Wednesday. Clinton County is reporting five new cases and 21 on isolation. Jefferson County has no new cases and 11 who remain isolated.
Statewide, the preliminary seven-day positivity rate remains at 3.3-percent.
