There were eight COVID-19 related deaths in Macon County last week
Decatur and Macon County residents continue to experience a large number of COVID-19 related deaths. Sadly, from September 17 – September 24, there were 8 COVID-19 related deaths with the number of deaths of county residents rising from 231 to 239 since the start of the pandemic.
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. The most effective way to reduce the spread of COVID-19 is to be fully vaccinated. Other measures including wearing a face covering and social distancing are also necessary and prudent, particularly given that only 44% of Macon County residents are fully vaccinated and children under 12 are not able to receive the vaccine.
By law, individuals in Decatur are required to wear face coverings in indoor public places regardless of vaccination status. The City of Decatur has three local laws that apply and will be enforced. Individuals should contact City Manager Wrighton (217-424-2801, wrighton@decaturil.gov) to report entities violating the city’s COVID-19 safety laws.
SINCE EARLY AUGUST, INTENSIVE CARE UNIT BED AVAILABILITY IN MACON COUNTY HAS BEEN AT ITS LOWEST LEVELS SINCE THE START OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
For the seventh straight week, Macon County has been placed at a warning level for increased COVID-19 risk by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Disturbingly, ICU bed availability for the past six weeks has been at the lowest levels in Macon County since the start of the pandemic and for the week ending on September 18 was 17%.
THE NUMBER OF CASES OF COVID-19 IN CHILDREN UNDER 10 HAS INCREASED 79% IN 15 WEEKS
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 11 (the day Illinois entered Phase 5) to September 24, the total number of confirmed cases of all ages combined increased 33% (11,002 vs. 14,628). In children 0-9 years old, the number of cases increased 79% (526 vs. 942), and the number of cases in children 10-19 increased 58% (1,154 vs. 1,823). Combined, 0-19 year olds have made up 30% of the new cases in Macon County since June 11, 2021.
THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS IN HOME ISOLATION DUE TO COVID-19 HAS INCREASED 495% IN SIX WEEKS
On August 13, there were 489 Macon County residents in home isolation due to COVID-19. On September 24, the number in home isolation had risen to 2,911 (495% increase in 6 weeks). Other COVID-19 metrics remain poor but are decreasing. For the week ending August 14 compared to the weeks ending September 18 and September 25, case rate changed from 287 to 528 to 390 per 100k, and test positivity has changed from 8.5% to 8.3% to 6.4%.
VACCINATION RATES IN MACON COUNTY ARE LOWEST OF ANY CENTRAL ILLINOIS COUNTY WITH A MID-SIZED CITY
The percentage of individuals who are fully vaccinated in Macon County as of September 17 is 44% compared to Champaign (54%), McLean (54%), and Sangamon (55%) counties. Vaccination rates lag in every age category with 27% of 12-17 year old individuals fully vaccinated in Macon County (compared with Champaign, McLean, and Sangamon counties that range from 44.9% - 55.6%). In Macon County, 46.3% of 18-64 year old individuals are fully vaccinated (comparison counties range from 57.4% – 59.6%), and in Macon County, 75.8% of individuals 65 years and older are fully vaccinated (comparison counties range from 86.2% -89.8%).