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48 new cases of COVID in Perry County since late last week

Forty-eight new cases of coronavirus and one additional death have been reported in the last seven days in Perry County - including 20 cases that were identified in one 24-hour period between Monday and Tuesday alone, and another seven that were announced Wednesday.

However, the number of active cases has dropped to 85 from the 109 reported on Tuesday, the health department said. One of the new cases is a boy under 10 and two others are children under 13.

The new patients raise the county's overall case count to 246 - which includes 157 patients who have recovered and been released from isolation, and four people who have died.

The most recent death is a man in his 80s.

Among the 48 is another employee of Pinckneyville Nursing & Rehabilitation, which brings the total number of cases at the nursing home to 40 residents and 13 employees.

Meanwhile, Perry County remains under "warning" status by the Illinois Department of Public Health because of three metrics:

Too many new cases of COVID-19. As of Wednesday, Perry County's weekly rate is 274 per 100,000 (up from 161 per 100,000 last Monday and 118 per 100,000 two weeks ago, according to the IDPH). The state target is 50 or fewer cases per 100,000.

The weekly positivity rate. Perry County's rate is 18.0%, up from 12.2% a week ago and up from 10.5% two weeks ago. The state target is less than 8%.

Number of tests being done.

The newest 48 cases break down as follows: one boy under 10; a boy and girl both under 13; one male and two females under 18; eight women and five men in their 20s, four women and two men in their 30s; two men and three women in their 40s; six women and four men in their 50s; a woman in her 60s; one woman and one man in their 70s; two women and two men in their 80s and a man in his 90s.

Perry County has had 4,432 negative test results.

The Perry County Health Department is currently monitoring the situation along with the Illinois Department of Public Health, both local hospitals in Perry County and local emergency management authorities.

The patients are in isolation and working with the Perry County Health Department. Anyone with questions should contact the Perry County Health Department at (618) 357-5371.

People experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness, such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, call your health care provider for medical advice. Protect yourself and others by staying home as much as possible. Continue social distancing of 6 feet or more, avoid large groups or gatherings of people, wash your hands frequently, and use a cloth face coverings in community settings.

For any additional updates or educational information, visit the Perry County Health Department's Facebook page.