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Stark County Now At COVID-19 Warning Level

Stark is now one of 29 counties at a state COVID-19 warning level.
As of Thursday, Stark had 27 reported cases. The rural county to the north of Peoria also reported its first COVID-19-related death on Friday, a man in his 80s.

“It is important our area understand how easily COVID-19 is actively spreading. Stark County is experiencing community spread of the virus, meaning that some people testing positive for COVID-19 are not able to pinpoint when or where they may have become infected. This is happening all over the county, not one particular area or town," said Duane Stevens, administrator of the Henry and Stark County Health Departments.

He also said there are some people and businesses not complying with the governor's mask mandates, and there are those who are initially dismissing their symptoms as other things, such as allergies.

He added contact tracers are challenged by people who aren't disclosing all of their close contacts.

Henry County also is at a COVID-19 warning level, with 477 cases reported Friday. That's more than double what was reported a month ago. Stevens said many of the new Henry County cases involve people ages 29 or younger. The county's positivity rate is 13%.

The Tri-County region of Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford reported a total of 4.056 cases on Friday, including 2,548 in Peoria, 1,203 in Tazewell, and 305 in Woodford.

A man in his 90s at Apostolic Christian Skylines in Peoria and a woman in her 80s at Generations of Riverview in East Peoria died in the last 24 hours, bringing the Tri-County's death toll to 54. Fifty-three people are hospitalized with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases.

Nearby McLean County also was placed into a warning level on Friday. The Illinois Department of Public Health took the action after an alarming spike in COVID-19 cases and testing positivity rate since students have returned to Twin City college campuses.

We’re living in unprecedented times when information changes by the minute. WCBU will continue to be here for you, keeping you up-to-date with the live, local and trusted news you need. Help ensure WCBU can continue with its in-depth and comprehensive COVID-19 coverage as the situation evolves by making a contribution.

Tim is the News Director at WCBU Peoria Public Radio.