© 2024 WVIK
Listen at 90.3 FM and 98.3 FM in the Quad Cities, 95.9 FM in Dubuque, or on the WVIK app!
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

QC Health Officials Worried about Rapid Uptick in COVID-19 Infections

July 28th, 2021 Screenshot of transmission levels showing Rock Island County & Scott County in yellow for "MODERATE." The next day, July 29th, Scott County's transmission level increased to orange or "SUBSTANTIAL."
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view
/
CDC
July 28th, 2021 Screenshot of transmission levels showing Rock Island County & Scott County in yellow for "MODERATE." The next day, July 29th, Scott County's transmission level increased to orange or "SUBSTANTIAL."

The CDC and public health officials are very concerned about a rapid Increase in the number of COVID-19 infections.

They now recommend everyone, whether vaccinated or not, wear masks when indoors in public places where transmission levels are "high" or "substantial." As of Wednesday, that means no changes in guidance for the Quad Cities.

Amy Thoreson, Director of the Scott County Health Department, says the current level of COVID-19 transmission is "moderate" in Scott, Rock Island, and most other counties in the region.

The CDC tracker says Muscatine and Carroll counties' transmission levels are "high," while the levels in Bureau and Henry Counties in Illinois are a step lower at "substantial."

More people are now being treated for the coronavirus infection in Quad Cities hospitals compared to the past few weeks. For example, the Rock Island County Health Department reports nine residents are hospitalized with COVID-19 compared to four just two days ago. And the majority of the new patients have not been vaccinated.

Both county health departments strongly encourage those who are eligible to be vaccinated to do so. And free vaccinations are widely available through the health departments, doctors offices, and pharmacies.

Rock Island County residents in the hospital for COVID-19
Rock Island County residents in the hospital for COVID-19
Rock Island County daily COVID-19 cases
Rock Island County daily COVID-19 cases

Officially, Michelle's title for 28 years was WVIK News Editor. She did everything there is to do in the newsroom and whatever was needed around the radio station. She also served as Acting News Director from September 2023 - January 2024.
Related Content
  • For the first time in over a year, the Rock Island County Health Department reports no new cases of COVID-19, no new deaths, and no residents are in the hospital.
  • Dr. Louis Katz will keep a close eye on local COVID-19 statistics over the summer.The Medical Director of the Scott County Health Department says the number of cases in the Quad Cities has been falling, and the number of people hospitalized with the coronavirus has also dropped.Still, Michelle O'Neill reports Katz continues to encourage everyone who's eligible to get vaccinated.