LEE COUNTY — Between March 16-22, the Lee County Health Department has reported a total of 101 new cases have been reported, including one from the Dixon Correctional Center and three from Avonlea Cottage. Here are the ages that were announced: 5 under the age of 12, 1 in his or her teens, 5 in his or her 20s, 5 in his or her 30s, 9 in his or her 40s, 5 in his or her 50s, 1 in his or her 60s,  and 3 in his or her 70s.

This brings the total number of cases to 3,301 as of March 22. They also reported as of March 22, 5 or less residents have been hospitalized and 60 residents have died.

Vaccine

As of March 19, according to IDPH 11,607 does of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Lee County, and a total of 4,175 people in Lee County have received both does of the vaccine.

Illinois is currently in Phase 1b for COVID-19 vaccine receipt. Persons qualifying to receive vaccine in this phase include:  

• residents 65 years and older, as well as specific groups of workers including: 

• Education Sector-Congregate Child Care, pre-K through 12th grade school staff 

• Food and Agriculture- Processing, plants, veterinary health, livestock services

• Manufacturing-Industrial production of goods for distribution to retail, wholesale or other manufacturers

• Corrections Workers & inmates

• United States Postal Workers

• Public Transit Workers-Flight crews, bus drivers, train conductors, taxi drivers, para-transit drivers, in-person support, ride sharing services

• Grocery Store Workers-Baggers, cashiers, stockers, pick-up, customer service

• Shelters/Adult Day Care-Homeless shelter, women’s shelter, adult day/drop-in programs, sheltered workshop, psycho-social rehab

If you qualify for 1b based on the above criteria, you can use this link:  http://bit.ly/39GTrMS.  Once you’ve signed up at this link, you are placed on our call list. You will be contacted when we have an available appointment for you. The Lee County Health Department  understand that many residents are very anxious to receive their vaccine, but asks for your patience.

This will be a lengthy process as long as counties continue to receive limited allocations of vaccine each week. Good news:  there will likely be additional vaccine providers in our community in the near future. 

The Lee County Health Department asks that residents refrain from calling or messaging us to see if you are on the list. If you complete the form on the link, you are. They are inundated with calls and messages, and when people double check, it slows us down even more. There will be vaccine available for anyone who wants it eventually. 

The Lee County Health Department  also asks if you qualify based on your profession, please check with your employer before registering, because we are currently coordinating with many employers for all their staff who want the vaccine.

The Lee County Health Department thanks the community for its continued support.