The Illinois Department of Public Health reports there were 1,257 new cases of coronavirus across the state Thursday with 25 additional deaths from the disease. That brings the overall case total to 157,950 and overall death total to 7,251 since the pandemic began. The Lawrence County Health Department has been notified of 4 county residents who have tested positive for the virus Thursday. They are a 21 year old male, 18 year old male, 42 year old female and a 43 year old female. All are in home isolation with contact tracing being done. The county has seen a recent upward trend in cases which now total 18. 11 of those are active with 7 recoveries. There have been no deaths. In an effort to fight the local spread, the LCHD has challenged residents to wear a mask or face covering from now through August 15th. Masks are an important part of mitigation efforts against the disease along with social distancing and good hand hygiene.