Knox, Warren and Henderson counties at ‘warning level’ for COVID-19 spread

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Several area counties are now considered at a “warning level” for COVID-19.

The Illinois Department of Public Health on Friday said Knox’s County-Level COVID-19 Risk Metrics have been moved to orange for 26 counties, which indicates “there are warning signs of increased COVID-19 risk in the county.”

Among the 26 raised to warning level were Knox, Warren and Henderson

There are no immediate consequences, like tighter restrictions, that come with being at an orange level.

The warning is intended to raise local level awareness when certain metrics become more troubling and to help local leaders, businesses, local health departments, and the public make informed decisions and promote healthy behaviors.

Knox County Public Health Administrator Michele Gabriele says she’s not surprised by the orange level status.

Gabriele says,“We are seeing rising case counts and test positivity rates.”

For Knox, there were 192 new cases per 100,000 in a one-week period; that means about 1 in 500 Knox County residents tested positive for COVID from Sept. 27 to Oct. 3.

In that same period, there were 5 admitted to hospitals for COVID like symptoms

Knox had a positivity rate of 9% in the past week, which puts it over the States parameters.

The county has 58 new cases reported between Tuesday and Friday, making a total of 834.

The Knox County Unified Command, which stopped holding officials meetings in June, met Thursday to discuss mitigation strategies.

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