Respiratory illnesses ramping up in 4-county area

Michele Bever, Heartland District Health Department (SHDHD) executive director, reported that COVID-19 trends are rising slightly and another COVID-19 death was logged for the 4-county health district. The death occurred within the past two months and brings the total deaths to 156. Bever reported 26 new cases recorded last week, compared to 30 the week before. This week through Thursday has brought an addition 23 cases.

The rate of new COVID-19 cases is currently in the “substantial” (orange) level at 55 cases per 100k in the past seven days as of Thursday. In other trends, the health departm...