Positive-test rate hits highest mark in months
Tim Kirsininkas Capitol News Illinois and David C.L. Bauer Journal-Courier
April 8, 2021
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Public health officials on Wednesday said the statewide seven-day rolling positivity rate has risen to 4.1%, the highest that figure has been since Jan. 30.
Statewide, COVID-19 hospitalizations also increased Wednesday; the Illinois Department of Public Health reported a total of 1,710 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Tuesday night. Of those, 353 were in the intensive care unit and 142 were on ventilators.
Wednesday’s hospitalization statistics were at their highest levels since mid-February.
The increased case positivity numbers and hospitalizations have caused state officials to place a hold on the next steps for reopening that were announced late last month.
Vaccinations top 146,000 in county
Ron DeBrock, ronald.debrock@thetelegraph.com
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WOOD RIVER A total of 146,158 COVID-19 vaccinations had been administered in Madison County as of Wednesday, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
That includes 82,712 first doses and 63,446 or 23.99% of the county’s population now fully vaccinated.
The Madison County Health Department has said the actual numbers for both vaccination categories are higher than the IDPH figures.
In Madison County, COVID-19 vaccination appointments are available by appointment only to anyone 16 years and older.
For an appointment visit www.madisonchd.org, https://coronavirus-vaccine-outreach-madcoil.hub.arcgis.com/, or the county’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. People without computers who need help scheduling appointments can call 618-650-8445 Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
By Doug Jenkins - WBGZ Radio
With local elections headlining the news, voting locations around Madison County were not very busy Tuesday, according to the County Clerk. Although official state were not available, the guess was less than 20% of registered voters cast a ballot.
Debbie Ming-Mendoza tells The Big Z there were a few tense moments at the start of the day.
Click here for Mendoza s comments
Voter turnout in neighboring counties was not much better. In Jersey County preliminary data shows 17% voter turnout while Macoupin County came in at 16%.
(Copyright WBGZ Radio / www.AltonDailyNews.com)
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Pandemic shines new light on affordable housing issues
Tim Kirsininkas Capitol News Illinois and David C.L. Bauer Journal-Courier
April 7, 2021
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As economic uncertainty lingers one year into the COVID-19 pandemic, housing advocates across the state are planning next steps to protect tenants and landlords and create additional affordable housing opportunities.
Over the past several weeks, the General Assembly has considered various bills on the subject, including emergency rental assistance, lifting the state ban on rent control, and subsidizing future affordable housing construction in the state.
Advocates for affordable housing in Illinois, including Rep. Delia Ramirez, a Democrat representing Chicago, say the pandemic has shed new light on an ongoing affordable housing crisis and sparked a new sense of urgency to support tenants and landlords struggling to afford rent and maintain their properties.
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