COVID Case Count Remains High

By Travis Volz

Washington County’s COVID case count remained high last week, as another 46 people tested positive for the virus.

Weekly totals of new cases have been steadily climbing since the fall, and last week’s total was the second highest count after 50 positive tests were recorded December 14-20.

Intensive-care beds remain full throughout the region and state. Region 4, which consists of Washington County and the Metro East, was at 74 percent capacity.

That is in keeping with statewide trends, as 86 percent of beds statewide are currently in use, and according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the state’s hospitals are admitting an average of 500 patients a day due to COVID.

Despite urging from health officials based on massive amounts of data that show the efficacy and safety of vaccines, the vaccination rate in Washington County has not moved much in weeks.

Read the full story in this week’s issue