According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 58 counties in the state of Illinois are now rated at High Community Level for the spread of COVID-19 due to rising cases. Lawrence, Wabash and Crawford Counties here in southeastern Illinois are among those. People in those counties who are older and immunocompromised are advised to wear masks in crowded public areas and be up to date with their vaccination schedule. Currently, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reports there have been 3,528,282 cases of the disease with 34,309 deaths since the pandemic began. According to the IDPH, Lawrence County has 38.2% of its total population fully vaccinated with almost 42% vaccinated with at least 1 dose.