SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported on Friday, Oct. 9, 26 counties in Illinois are considered to be at a warning level for novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including Lee County for the second week in a row.

A county enters a warning level when two or more COVID-19 risk indicators that measure the amount of COVID-19 increase. Twenty-six counties are currently reported at a warning level – Case, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Coles, Crawford, Effingham, Fayette, Henderson, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Lake, Lee, Mason, Massac, Pulaski, Richland, Saline, Shelby, Union, Vermilion, Whiteside, Winnebago, Warren.

Although the reasons for counties reaching a warning level varies, some of the common factors for an increase in cases and outbreaks are associated with large gatherings and events, bars and clubs, weddings and funerals, university and college parties as well as college sports teams, family gatherings, long-term care facilities, correctional centers, schools, and cases among the community at large, especially people in their 20s.