Illinois' COVID-19 transmission rates appear to be dropping.
Nine counties remain in the CDC's "elevated" transmission status - down from 26 last week. Of the nine, one is at a high level, the others are all in the medium category.
Eight of the nine counties are in the WSIU listening area: Clay County is the high transmission level, while Edwards, Franklin, Jackson, Jasper, Perry, Richland, Williamson, and White Counties are at medium levels.
Nearly 9,000 new cases were reported in the past week, along with 63 more deaths attributed to the disease. But health officials say more options are available for prevention and treatment of the virus - including vaccines and boosters, at-home tests, and medicines available via prescription or infusion.
This week, the state also announced a new program to distribute HEPA air purifiers to thousands of schools across Illinois. Leaders say those purifiers will help protect students and teachers from numerous viruses - including COVID-19.
