COVID transmission remains high

The COVID-19 transmission rate remains high in Randolph County, with the Centers for Disease Control data tracker on Tuesday, Jan. 25, reporting 1,152 cases in the previous seven days, and a seven-day positivity rate of 25.4%.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Region 4 - which includes Randolph County - had 9% of ICU beds available as of Jan. 23, well below the 20% threshold.

The Randolph County Health Department highly recommends taking additional precautions while in a public setting or a gathering of others, especially if you are not vaccinated.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 54.1% of Randolph County residents age 5 or over are fully vaccinated.

The county health department is administering the first, second, third and booster doses of the COVID vaccine at clinics from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, and from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, at the Sparta Lincoln gym, 203A Dean Ave., in Sparta.

Pediatric vaccines are available by appointment at (618) 826-5007.