MOLINE, Ill. — Local health leaders are putting the public on alert surrounding a rise in COVID-19 risk levels.
Scott and Rock Island counties are under a medium level of COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC determines risk levels based on the number of hospitalizations and COVID-19 cases.
Officials said hospitals in the metro Quad Cities have seen an increase in the need for care related to the virus.
There were about two-dozen people hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Wednesday, July 6. That includes those in the ICU and on ventilators.
Staff said that while the numbers aren't as high as they were months ago, they're continuing to slowly rise.
"They're traveling more, they're going to more available concerts and baseball games and they're now wearing their masks as prevalently as they have been in the past," Janet Hill with Rock Island County Health Department said. "So we're not shocked to see cases going up."
Leaders said the elderly and those with underlying health conditions should wear a mask in public. Vaccinations should also be up to date.
The health departments do not report COVID-19 case numbers due to the availability of at-home tests, which means a lot of positive results are not reported to officials.
Scott County Health Department offers vaccinations 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday without appointments.
Rock Island County Health Department vaccinations are Tuesdays for Moderna and Fridays for Pfizer. Those ages six months to five years can receive vaccines on Wednesdays by appointment only. Kids 5 and older can walk in on Fridays.