The DeWitt/Piatt Bi-County Health Department is reporting a spike in local coronavirus infections.

On Wednesday, 7 new cases were reported in Clinton, 3 in Kenney, and 1 in Farmer City. In Piatt County, 4 new cases were reported in Monticello, 2 in Cerro Gordo, 1 in Hammond, and 1 in White Heath.

On Thursday in DeWitt County, 2 cases were reported in Clinton, 1 in Deland, and 1 in Wapella. Piatt County reported 3 in Cerro Gordo, 2 in Atwood, 1 in Bement, 1 in Hammond, 1 in Lodge, and 1 in Monticello.

On Friday, 9 cases were reported in Clinton, 4 in Monticello, and 1 in Cerro Gordo. It was also announced Friday that a second fatality attributed to COVID occurred in Piatt County in a female in her 90s.

With these additional cases, DeWitt Co has had a total of 370 cases and Piatt Co has had a total of 300 cases.

DeWitt/Piatt Bi-County Health Department Director David Remmert said in a release, "Remember, cases are spiking locally, statewide, and nationwide.  Please refrain from attending events/parties/gatherings.  Please don't host such gatherings.  We've seen multiple school-aged birthday parties recently in which a case lead to more than 20+ close contacts who all had to quarantine.  Wash your hands frequently, Watch your distance (6 feet or more), Wear a mask when in public.  Protect vulnerable populations.  Please test even when asymptomatic.  Approximately 40 percent of cases of this disease may not have symptoms."