The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 21,098 new cases of coronavirus across the state Wednesday with 50 new deaths. There were 31 positive cases reported Wednesday by the Lawrence County Health Department with 7 people still hospitalized. Overall since the pandemic began, there have now been 2,119,162 cases of the disease with 27,734 deaths across Illinois. A total of 19,106,181 vaccinations have now been administered at sites across Illinois with over 3 million booster doses given. The IDPH reports that 37.30% of the total Lawrence County population is now fully vaccinated. 41% have recieved at least 1 dose of the vaccine and there have been 1,913 booster doses. The IDPH has announced that beginning December 27th, there will be centralized statewide COVID-19 contact tracing efforts through the use of automated text messages to positive cases entered into the state data base. This will decrease the burden on local health departments across the state. Also, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb Wednesday extended the state COVID-19 emergency order until February 1st of 2022.