Tri-County public health officials report four more deaths linked to COVID-19 across the region in the past day, while the Peoria City/County Health Department (PCCHD) recommends businesses continue following state guidelines in regard to wearing masks and social distancing.
Illinois entered the bridge phase of Gov. JB Pritzker’s reopening plan on Friday. On Monday, Pritzker announced fully vaccinated residents are not required to wear masks in most settings, bringing the state in line with updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 37.1% of Tri-County residents are now fully vaccinated.
PCCHD communications manager Diana Scott said Tuesday the department is adhering to Pritzker's new executive order, and referring businesses to Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Restore Illinois guidelines.
A Woodford County man in his 50s was among the region’s latest COVID-19 fatalities. The other victims include two Peoria County woman over 60 and a Tazewell County man in his 80s. The area's death toll since the start of the pandemic is up to 714, while the total number of infections stands at 45,115 — an increase of 47 from Monday.
Peoria-area hospitals report having 69 patients admitted for COVID-19, down by nine from Monday, with 19 people being treated in intensive care units. Both figures are at their their lowest since the end of March.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported 1,495 new coronavirus infections and 21 more deaths across the state since Monday, bringing the statewide totals to 1,369,709 cases and 22,466 fatalities. The state’s preliminary seven-day positivity rate ticked down to 2.8%.
Updated IDPH vaccine administration figures show Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties with more 130,465 residents fully vaccinated, with the three counties combining for 270,254 shots overall. Illinois as a whole has administered 10.43 million injections, and 37.9% of residents are fully dosed.
