Quad-Cities Soars To Sixth Worst Covid Hot Spot In The United States
The Quad-Cities has rocketed up to SIXTH among the top 10 worst covid outbreak spots in the nation, according to data from the CDC, the New York Times reported today.
According to the data, the Illinois/Iowa Quad-Cities is now inside the top ten most rapidly spiking hot spots nationwide for a second week in a row, roaring from number 13 to number 7 to number 6 in just two weeks.
The rising number of Quad-Cities covid-19 cases have put it consistently among in the top 10 worst covid hot spots in the United States over the past month, with other Iowa communities in the top 10.
Iowa continues to be a massive hot spot for covid, with the New York Times reporting CDC numbers that show the state of Iowa as the third worst in the country in terms of covid numbers right now. Yesterday, the Iowa Department of Health reported that some counties in Iowa had a 50.7 positive testing rate. Last night, Governor Kim Reynolds imposed a number of new rules for the state canceling youth sports and activities and curtailing a number of activities and businesses.
Illinois hasn’t been faring well either, with a number of its communities, particularly rural and downstate communities, showing poor numbers.
In his media address yesterday, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said that the rapidly spiking numbers statewide — with numbers in some regions doubling daily — could lead to another statewide mandatory stay-at-home order similar to the one imposed in the spring, and that he would make a determination “in the coming days.”
Illinois health officials reported 11,632 new covid cases on Monday and 37 additional deaths, marking the 11th consecutive day in which the state has seen more than 10,000 new cases, and bringing the total number of cases in the state to 585,248 and total deaths to 10,779, according to Illinois Department of Health numbers.
IDPH issued new guidance Wednesday urging residents to stay home and only leave for “essential activities.”
The virus has been spiking out of control in the Quad-Cities area — on both the Illinois and Iowa sides.
Today, Quad-Cities Congresswoman Cheri Bustos announced that she has tested positive for covid-19.
The Illinois Quad-Cities’ region’s positive testing number roared to almost 15 percent (at 14.6), as all regions in the state moved over the 12 percent positivity rate, triggering numbers Governor JB Pritzker said could lead to a lockdown, especially with the Thanksgiving holiday looming.
On Nov. 15, the Rock Island County Health Department reported 104 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number to 6,709. Currently, 58 patients are hospitalized in the county. The death toll from the virus remains at 115.
“What will it take to make this real for you?” Pritzker said. “Do we have to reach a positivity rate of 50 percent like we’re seeing in Iowa today? Are you waiting for your health care workers to get sick to a point where you don’t have enough staff in the local hospital to cover the next shift? What about if your hospitals become so overrun that your sick and your dying have nowhere left to turn? Because I promise you, while you fail to take responsibility in your city and your county, that day is coming closer – and it will be on you.”
“If things don’t take a turn in the coming days we will quickly reach the point when some form of a mandatory stay at home order is all that will be left,” Pritzker said. “With every fiber of my being, I do not want us to get there. But right now that seems like where we are heading.”
Last week, the mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot ordered city residents to stay at home and not have visitors for 30 days. She said Chicagoans should not leave their homes except to attend school, seek medical care, shop for groceries, pick up takeout food and go to work. However, she also encouraged employers to allow their employees to work from home whenever possible.
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