Illinois records another 25 COVID-19 deaths, 2,056 more infected

State health officials announced today 25 more Illinois residents have died from COVID-19, bringing the state's death toll from the respiratory disease to 8,392.

Meanwhile, another 2,056 new cases were diagnosed, which puts the total number of residents infected at 268,207 since the outbreak began. Illinois Department of Public Health officials also are reporting 96% of those who have contracted the disease are now fully recovered.

The state's seven-day average infection rate also declined slightly to 3.6%. During the past week, the state is averaging 1,795 new cases of the disease a day, according to IDPH records.

Regionally, the average test positivity rate for Will and Kankakee counties continued it's downward trend and is now at 6.1%. The region had a positivity rate in excess of 8% weeks ago, which triggered several business and gathering restrictions that could be lifted if the region's test results stay at or below 6.5% positivity for the next two days. That would mean bars and restaurants could allow indoor dining again, though many businesses have reportedly defied that edict since it went into effect last month.

Average test positivity rates for other regions in the suburbs are also trending down.

In suburban Cook County, the rate is at 5.3% as of Monday. A week ago, it was 6.3%.

In the region covering DuPage and Kane counties, the average positivity rate is reported at 5.4%. It had peaked as high as 6.1% on Sept. 10.

The most recent positivity rate for the region with Lake and McHenry counties is 5.7%. It had been as high as 7% a week ago, according to IDPH records.

Hospitalizations for COVID-19 dipped slightly as well.

Statewide, hospitals reported 1,558 patients were admitted for treatment of the virus at the end of Wednesday. Of those hospitalized, 359 COVID-19 patients were in intensive care beds.

Three of the five states that border Illinois remain on the IDPH travel warning list as well because of high per capita new case rates. Missouri's rate is the highest among border states, with 23 new cases for every 100,000 people. Missouri is averaging 1,469 new cases of COVID-19 a day over the past week, according to the IDPH travel warning site.

Wisconsin, which is averaging 1,323 new cases a day over the past week, is reporting 22 new cases a day for every 100,000 residents. In Iowa, officials are reporting 18 new cases a day for every 100,000 residents, and is averaging 591 new cases a day for the week.

Twelve other states are on the IDPH travel warning list as well, mostly to the south.