The Tri-County area just recorded one of its biggest days for COVID-19 vaccinations, as public health officials on Thursday reported more than 2,100 active cases – but no new fatalities for a third straight day.
Updated figures from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) showed Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties collectively adding 4,262 shots since Wednesday, more than doubling the daily average of 2,111 injections over the past week.
The three counties also collectively added 2,368 fully vaccinated individuals, bringing the combined total to 80,339, or 22.9% of the population. The Tri-County’s total for administered doses increased to 195,270. Illinois as a whole stands at 6.7 million doses and 20.2% of residents fully vaccinated.
Thursday’s daily update from Tri-County health officials showed 275 new coronavirus infections, bringing the case count since the start of the pandemic to 39,109.
Peoria City/County Health Department Administrator Monica Hendrickson says younger people are the main factor behind the latest COVID-19 surge in the Tri-County region, per recent contact tracing data.
"Many of these cases we saw through our contact tracing were related to activities outside of the daily school setting, which includes sports teams, dance academies, group dinners, as well as travel and family get-togethers. We're now starting to see the impacts of Easter, as well," she said.
40 percent of current active cases are younger than 30.
Hendrickson says while many of these younger people suffer mild cases of COVID-19, they often spread it to older family members, who may fare more poorly.
Of those with cases severe enough to require hospitalization, Hendrickson says the vast majority are unvaccinated.
Peoria-area hospitals have 127 patients admitted with COVID-19, including 38 in intensive care units, while the number of area residents isolating increased to 1,995.
IDPH recorded 3,739 cases and 34 deaths in the past day, raising Illinois’ numbers since last March to 1.27 million illnesses and 21,457 fatalities.
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