As Illinois gets set to enter phase 3 of Governor JB Pritzker's five-phase plan to restore Illinois, health officials in DeWitt County say things are starting to look much better.

As more data becomes available about the coronavirus, CEO of Clinton's Warner Hospital, Paul Skowron believes it is giving leaders across the state and country the necessary information about how to effectively reopen the economy and protect those most susceptible to the disease.

Executive Director of the DeWitt/Piatt Bi-County Health Department, Dave Remmert indicates he too is optimistic with recent data trends of the coronavirus. Cases and fatalities in Illinois earlier this week hit nearly a month low.

One of the predominant known data points is the impacts on the elderly population and Skowron indicates it is their job, in conjunction with the Health Department, to make sure the public knows the facts about this disease. He also offered his thoughts on mask-wearing....

As we get set to move into the next phase of the Governor's plan to restore Illinois, Remmert hopes there would be some flexibility from the Governor to move into phase four if numbers across the state continue to improve as they have in recent weeks.

Skowron indicates cases and fatalities coming down are good but he is also encouraged by the diligent measures taken by places like hospitals and assisted living facilities to protect people. Additionally, he believes as the economy reopens, people will continue to remain vigilant in protecting family and neighbors.