As the holiday season wraps up and folks return to work and school, the local health department is hosting a COVID drive-thru and walk-up testing site on Saturday.

DeWitt/Piatt Bi-County Health Department Director Dave Remmert indicates the testing is free and those who come to get tested do not have to be symptomatic.

The Health Department hosted a mobile testing unit in October as the County faced a surge in cases, making the Governor's warning list for the first time. However, in early January, COVID locally is beginning to level out but Remmert says he wants to know what the situation is in light of the holiday gatherings that likely took place.

The Health Department released its latest data late Monday night. 

DeWitt County added 69 new cases of COVID last week between Wednesday and Sunday while Piatt County added 47.

With these additional cases, DeWitt County has had a total of 1000 cases while Piatt County has had a total of 1123 cases.

DeWitt County has had a total of 19 deaths.  Piatt County has had a total of 8 deaths with an additional death reported today - a female in her 60s.

Remmert notes they are receiving numerous calls and emails regarding vaccinations. He asks the public to remember, these doses are distributed according to a federal CDC prioritization schedule starting with frontline healthcare workers. Long-term care facility doses will be distributed via a pharmacy partnership between IDPH and CVS/Walgreens and they expect to be serving these priority audiences until additional doses are released in 2-3 weeks. They will continue to alert the public as additional priorities are announced.