Genesis Health System reports it's treating 42 patients at its hospitals in eastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois. That's five more than a week ago. Eleven COVID patients are in intensive care, five more than last Monday. Sixty-four percent of the patients are 60 years old and older, while 24% are in their 50s, with 12% in their 30s and 40s.
UnityPoint Health - Trinity is treating 36 people for the coronavirus infection, two more than a week ago. Five are in intensive care, seven fewer patients than last Monday.
The number of COVID cases and deaths also continues to increase in Rock Island County.
Today, the health department reports 166 new COVID cases, or an average of 61 new cases per day over the past week, three more than the previous week.
More than 20,000 (20,009) county residents have now contracted the coronavirus infection since March, 2020. Janet Hill from the health department says, "It's a grim milestone."
The department also reports one new death since Friday for a total of 383 deaths during the entire pandemic. The person who died was a man in his 70s who had been in the hospital.
The Illinois Department of Public Health reports the 7-day rolling average test positivity rate in Rock Island County is 7.2% compared to 7.3% a week ago. But today's 7.2% percent rate is two percentage points higher than this date in October (5.1%).
Twenty-five Rock Island County residents are in the hospital with COVID, four fewer than last Monday (29).
As the county passes the 20,000 case mark, Hill says,"Our best tool against getting sick is vaccination.” And COVID testing can provide the information needed to decide whether to gather with family and friends for Thanksgiving.
