Virus spread puts 20 Illinois counties on 'warning' status

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Rising indicators of the potentially deadly coronovirus have forced Illinois public health officials to place nearly one-fifth of the state's counties on 'œwarning level'ť status for the disease.

Two or more measurements for the spread of the highly contagious virus have exceeded allowable limits in each of the counties put on warning Friday. The process serves as notice that local officials should take action to mitigate the spread.

Twenty of the Prairie State's 102 counties are on warning status: Bureau, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Franklin, Greene, Grundy, Hancock, Henderson, Jefferson, Logan, Madison, Monroe, Moultrie, Randolph, St. Clair, Union, White, Will, and Williamson.

Experts contend the most effective ways of slowing transmission are wearing face coverings over nose and mouth, keeping a social distance of at least 6 feet away from other people, and frequently washing hands. But the Illinois Department of Public Health said in a news release that health officials are seeing rampant disregard for wearing face coverings or observing social distance.

Contact tracing data show the spikes are fueled by people congregating at weddings, businesses, neighborhood gatherings, parties, bars, travel to other states and to sports camps.

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Warning Level County Information: https://bit.ly/3lcrvFe

COVID-19 County Transmission Metrics: https://bit.ly/3gg7tpO