Five deaths and 1,700 new positive cases reported in the latest 24-hour statewide COVID-19 report. With 69 percent of elderly residents vaccinated, the state is on the verge of meeting the vaccination rate of 70 percent, but because of an upward trend in hospitalization data, the Pritzker administration says the state has not yet met conditions to move to the next phase of the governor’s reopening plan.

COVID vaccination clinics continue in the area, including a Moderna Clinic today (Tuesday) at IMH in Watseka.  Riverside conducted recent clinics in Kankakee County.

More Americans are rolling up their sleeves for the shots but there's still growing concern about where we stand as a nation in terms of the pandemic.  Moee than two down states are reporting increases in new COVID cases compared to the week before.  The CDC is warning of "impending doom" amid a possible  fourth surge of coronavirus.

94.1 WGFA