Unsplash/Kelly Sikkema
Unsplash/Kelly Sikkema
New data shows COVID cases among 5-to-11 year olds are now sharply up across the state.
"While nowhere near the November peak, new COVID-19 cases in 5-to-11 year olds are up 787% from the state's low a month ago," the Bureau County Republican posted on Facebook.
The rise comes as school boards across the state debate if wearing masks should be required of all students when classes resume for the fall semester.
According to The Illinois Department of Public Health, infection rates are also up for 12- to 17-year-olds and 18- to 22-year-olds.
Recent data shows Illinois has suffered 1,419,611 total cases of the virus with 23,440 deaths. As of July 29, the state had 903 COVID-19 patients in the hospital, with 167 in intensive care units and 62 on ventilators.
The Illinois Department of Public Health reports that of residents 12 and older 56.4% have been fully vaccinated and 72.2% have received at least one dose, though the city of Chicago’s positivity rate has increased to 2.9% and only 20% of ICU beds are available and all 11 regions in the state are now in Phase 5 of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s reopening plan.
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