A central Illinois school leader is asking his community for patience as his district navigates a surge in COVID cases.

Last week, Monticello Schools Superintendent Dr. Vic Zimmerman sent a letter to parents sympathizing with frustrations of the increase in quarantined students with COVID or those as close contacts. He says this stems from a 500-percent increase in COVID cases in the last month in Piatt County.

For Dr. Zimmerman, he has heard a lot on both sides of the frustration spectrum and is encouraging parents to be patient with the district and its staff. He says they are as frustrated as parents but is encouraging everyone to remember they'll get through this.

Dr. Zimmerman is hoping to make it through the week and make it to Christmas break starting Friday after school. 

The latest data from the DeWitt/Piatt Bi-County Health Department shows 319 total active cases in its two-county area though the department doesn't track the breakdown of cases in the schools. 

The 319 active cases top the highest registered case totals from last November of 253. 

The Health Department notes it does not have the data at this time to determine if active cases are from the Delta or Omicron strains though the Delta variant has been detected in its area.