Illinois recorded more than 28-thousand new COVID cases over the last week, along with 74 new deaths related to the virus.
Twenty-eight counties in the state are now rated as "high community transmission" level by the CDC - including Franklin, Jackson, Johnson, Marion, Massac, Wayne, and Williamson Counties in southern Illinois. Another 53 counties are at the medium level.
This week's numbers have been nearly level for the past three weeks, and are down from May and early June when new cases were topping 30-thousand or more.
Experts say people who are at high risk, as well as the unvaccinated, should consider wearing a mask when inside or in large crowds. Testing and vaccine information is available through your local health department.
