COVID cases continue to rise in many areas of Illinois. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 8 counties are now rated in the High Community Level for COVID spread and 39 counties are now in the Medium Community Level. There are no area counties listed in the High level, but there are three listed in the Medium Level-Coles, Cumberland and neighboring Wabash County. At the Medium Level, people who are elderly or immunocompromised are advised to wear a mask in indoor public places and also get up to date on their vaccinations and booster shots. According to the latest statistics from the Lawrence County Health Department, between the period of May 16 through May 20th there were only 4 reported individual cases.