The Illinois Department of Public Health Thursday reported 4,041 new cases of coronavirus across the state with 60 new deaths as cases continue to spread upward. The Lawrence County Health Department reported 26 positive cases Thursday and there were 79 new positive cases in Knox County Indiana Thursday. Overall in Illinois since the pandemic began, there have been 1,503,603 cases of the disease with 23,875 deaths. Over 13 million vaccines have been administered across the state since the vaccine rollout began with over 27,000 shots given Wednesday. As COVID-19 infection and hospital rates increase, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzger announced there will be vaccination requirements for individuals in high risk settings. All healthcare workers, all pre-k-12 teachers and staff along with higher education personnel and students will now be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Those not willing to be vaccinated in those settings will be subject to weekly testing. The governor also announced a statewide indoor mask mandate for all Illinois residents regardless of vaccination status. The mask requirement is effective this Monday August 30th. Lawrence County Memorial Hospital has announced that effective immediately, anyone in need of emergency care at the facility who is exhibiting any of the COVID-19 symptoms must go directly to the tent now located at the Emergency Department entrance to be assessed and will be brought into the hospital through that department if necessary. Do not enter the main entrance at LCMH.