(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Friday brought more dismal news for Illinois on the coronavirus front: another day with more than 2,000 cases reported and a combined 20 counties at a "warning" level.
The Illinois Department of Public Health counted another 2,208 cases of novel coronavirus, with 24 more deaths attributed to COVID-19.
The statewide rolling "positivity rate" was 4.3%, nearly 2 points higher than the level from early July.
Meanwhile, the state health agency identified 20 counties that have COVID metrics that put them at warning level: Bureau, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Franklin, Greene, Grundy, Hancock, Henderson, Jefferson, Logan, Madison, Monroe, Moultrie, Randolph, St. Clair, Union, White, Will and Williamson.
IDPH officials attribute the surges to people gathering without taking precautions, among other factors.
"Cases connected to schools are also beginning to be reported," the agency said.
IDPH monitors the number of new cases and COVID-19 deaths within a county, as well as hospitalizations. The state is also monitoring coronavirus spread across 11 Illinois regions. The Metro East area is under tighter restrictions because of a surge in coronavirus cases.
State health officials continue to stress the need to social-distance, wear masks in public and continually wash hands to avoid spread of the virus.
State government is coordinating tens of thousands of tests daily -- possibly one reason for the uptick in positive cases. But officials also say the numbers also indicate the spread of the virus continues, after Illinois previously "bent the curve" of new infections.
