The number of cases of COVID-19 in children under 10 has increased 51% in three months in Macon County. Decatur is enforcing indoor mask mandate
Macon County has seen a significant surge in the number of COVID-19 cases. The large rise in the number of cases is most pronounced in children who are unable to get vaccinated. From June 3, 2021 to September 3, 2021, the total number of confirmed cases of all ages combined increased 21% (10,976 vs. 13,258). In children 0-9 years old, the number of cases increased 51% (521 vs. 786), and the number of cases in children 10-19 increased 35% (1,154 vs. 1,559).
Decatur citizens should do what they can to protect their family, friends, and neighbors from COVID-19 including being fully vaccinated, wearing face coverings while indoors, and practicing social distancing. Unfortunately, Decatur and Macon County have the lowest vaccination rate of any central Illinois county with a mid-sized city, and COVID-19 metrics have worsened substantially in recent weeks.
By law, individuals in Decatur are required to wear facial coverings in indoor public places regardless of vaccination status. The City of Decatur has three local laws that apply and will be enforced. City Code Chapters 50 and 52 apply to licensees including entities that sell alcoholic liquor, while Chapter 73 applies to individuals. Individuals should contact City Manager Wrighton (217-424-2801, wrighton@decaturil.gov) to report entities violating the city’s COVID-19 safety laws.
INTENSIVE CARE UNIT BED AVAILABILITY IS AT ITS LOWEST LEVEL SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC
For the fourth straight week, the Illinois Department of Public Health has placed Macon County at a warning level for increased COVID-19 risk. Disturbingly, ICU bed availability for the weeks ending Aug. 14, 21, and 28 were at the lowest level in Macon County since the start of the pandemic and the number of individuals in home isolation has doubled in two weeks.
For the weeks ending Aug. 14, 21, and 28, the number in home isolation has increased from 841 to 1,106 to 1,698, case rate increased from 287 to 470 to 504 per 100k, and test positivity has been 8.5%, 11%, and 9.1%. The last time the COVID-19 metrics were this poor was November – December 2020.
NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING TAKES PLACE TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
The next Decatur City Council meeting will take place Tuesday, September 7 at 5:30 PM in the Decatur Civic Center’s second floor theater. The agenda for the meeting includes swearing in new city council member Dennis Cooper, approving a collective bargaining agreement with the Decatur Police Benevolent & Protective Association, authorizing demolition of delipidated structures, providing American Rescue Plan funds to the Children’s Museum of Illinois, and instituting a push tax for those that engage in video gambling.
PLEASE EXPRESS YOUR VIEWS AT THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Meetings take place in the theater located on the second floor of the Decatur Civic Center (1 Gary K. Anderson Place). Free parking is available in the lot immediately south of the entrance. Citizens are encouraged to attend meetings and express their views. Citizens are allotted 3 minutes per person near the beginning of each city council meeting. In addition, citizens can provide comments regarding one regular agenda item per meeting for up to three minutes provided they notify the city in advance (and prior to the start of the meeting). You can request to speak on a particular agenda item at a council meeting by filling out an on-line form at: https://www.decaturil.gov/mayor-and-council/advance-request-to-speak-at-council-meeting/.
CITIZENS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
If you would like to discuss city issues with a council member, phone numbers and email addresses for each council member can be found at the following link: https://www.decaturil.gov/mayor-and-council/council/.
AGENDAS FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE
An agenda and information about each agenda item for each city council meeting can be found at: https://www.decaturil.gov/mayor-and-council/council-meetings/.