As the new school year begins Thursday in districts across Vermilion County the threat of COVID-19 continues. The Vermilion County Health Department reported last evening (Wednesday, August 18, 2021) that there have been 68 new cases of COVID diagnosed in the county. Six of them are teenagers and seven are grade school aged children.
The other new cases include one resident in their 80s, four in their 70s, three in their 60s, nine in their 50s, fourteen in their 40s, and thirteen in their 20s.
Vermilion County’s total number of COVID-positive cases since the pandemic began now totals 10,987. The county has lost 159 residents to COVID-related deaths since the pandemic started.
Currently there are 30 Vermilion County residents who are hospitalized with COVID. And there are now 306 active COVID cases in the county, according to Vermilion County Health Department Administrator Douglas Toole. He says that of the 68 new cases reported Wednesday, five of them said they were already fully vaccinated for protection from COVID.
Due to Vermilion County’s HIGH transmission status it is still recommended that everyone, despite their vaccination status, should wear a mask when indoors. The County Health Department continues to encourage Vermilion County residents to get vaccinated, get tested, and stay home if you are sick. Also wear a face mask.
