Lake, McHenry COVID-19 Positivity Rate Increases

LAKE AND MCHENRY COUNTIES, IL — Local health officials are again urging residents to get their COVID-19 vaccine and take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus as the positivity rate is again on the rise in McHenry and Lake counties.

After weeks of record low case counts, Lake County health officials on Friday said Region 9, which includes Lake and McHenry counties, has seen a recent increase in cases. As of July 13, the region has a seven-day rolling average positivity rate of 1.6 percent.

Lake County's positivity rate is 1.4 percent and McHenry County's rate is 2.1 percent, according to recent state health data.

"We urge our community to continue to take precautions and get vaccinated when eligible. If you have received your first dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer and Moderna), please make sure to get the second dose in the series. Individuals are fully vaccinated two weeks after the second dose in a two-dose series or after the one dose Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine," according to the Lake County Health Department's weekly newsletter Friday.

As of Friday, 49 percent of McHenry County resident and 50.8 percent of Lake County residents have been fully vaccinated. Statewide, 49.77 percent of residents are fully vaccinated, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.