After a brief spike up late last week, Illinois covid numbers have plummeted down, as the state hit below the 10 percent positivity rate for the first time since Dec. 23, as officials signaled that an end to the statewide mask mandate could be coming soon. Illinois public health officials reported 6,664 new COVID cases and 28 related deaths Monday, a stark contrast to last week, when Illinois public health officials reported 15,732 new COVID cases and 143 related deaths Wednesday, and the positivity rate went to 14.6 percent. Numbers across the board swung mightily in a positive direction, as the... Read More

BREAKING: Illinois covid restrictions could be reduced or dropped within the next week or two if covid numbers continue to fall, Illinois Public Health Department director Dr. Ngozi Ezike told WQAD-TV8’s Jim Mertens in an interview this weekend. “As we pass the peak of Omicron and those numbers continue to fall,” Dr. Ngozi Ezike said, “As that number continues to go down, we will be at a level where we can think about taking off that mask because we can handle in our hospitals, the load of patients and everybody can get the care they need.” “We know that the... Read More

Gildas Club Quad Cities is presenting a week of activities for World Cancer Day this week. The schedule is as follows: Monday: Come Together to Close the Gap. Check out our Facebook page to learn more! Tuesday: Team up to Focus on Your Health – Sign up for a 21-day health challenge: worldcancerday.org/21DayChallenge  Wednesday: We Walk Together as Community is Stronger than Cancer. Walk the pond at Trinity Moline, 3:30-4:00P Thursday: Join us and local artist, Gaye Shannon Barrett, for an art project brought to us by Living Proof Exhibit. Friday: National World Cancer Day: Join us for Coffee... Read More

The Quad Cities River Bandits have made a second generous challenge grant, this one for $40,000, to support Genesis Philanthropy and the Genesis Family Connects program. The River Bandits, champions on the field in the High-A Central League in 2021, continued as champions off the field for Genesis Foundation initiatives benefiting children. In December, the River Bandits donated $50,000 to the Genesis Foundation. “We couldn’t be more excited to have the River Bandits support for both foundations under the Genesis umbrella. As a member of our health system board of directors, Dave Heller understands... Read More

Don’t let the cold winter weather stop your fitness goals. Stretch yourself with Zoom Chair Yoga, a weekly, 45-minute virtual class hosted by the Moline Public Library.  Classes are available Thursdays, February 3, 10, 17, and 24 at 11:00am upon registration. To sign up, please call the Library at 309-524-2470 or visit //molinelibrary.com/events. Certified yoga instructor Daina Lewis will instruct you on the essentials of chair yoga, which offers modification for standing and seated poses for those that need the extra support. New to yoga? This is a perfect way to play in poses and learn how... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Well, perhaps we spoke too soon on covid being over. Illinois cases spiked back up today almost 60 percent over yesterday, a new worldwide variant — the stealth omicron — has been detected and is spreading, and deaths and hospitalizations increased statewide. The new numbers according to the Illinois Department of Public Health were not good. After declining cases over the past week, and a day in which we were below 10,000 cases for the first time in several months, Illinois public health officials reported 15,732 new COVID cases and 143 related deaths Wednesday. In addition,... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University will continue with the mandatory gateway testing on the Macomb and Quad Cities campuses for the remainder of this week (through Thursday, Jan. 27). Mandatory weekly testing for individuals who are not vaccinated will resume Monday, Jan. 31. All students, faculty, and staff* who are physically on WIU’s campuses must complete a COVID test this week, regardless of vaccination status. Testing will be held on the Macomb and Quad Cities campuses. Gateway Testing Clinics WIU-Macomb, Student Recreation Center MAC Gym (south gym) Tuesday-Thursday,... Read More

The McDonough County Health Department, in cooperation with Western Illinois University, will host two COVID-19 vaccination clinics (including boosters) for WIU faculty, staff and students, as well as members of the general public, Jan. 25 and Feb. 22. Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will be available at no cost, and an appointment is not needed. Booster recommendations are in place for the COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States. Individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. First and second shots, as well as boosters, will be available at the... Read More

UPDATED: With Illinois covid-19 infections, hospitalizations and average numbers dropping to new lows across the board, state residents are calling for an end to the statewide mask mandate and other restrictions, with some protesting and suing to end them — particularly in schools. The latest numbers from the Illinois Department of Public Health continue the trend over the past week of showing dipping cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, seeming to confirm what some officials have said, that the omicron surge has passed. “Over the last two years, I’ve said over and over that you don’t... Read More

As Illinois covid numbers plummet to new lows across the board, state residents are calling for an end to the statewide mask mandate and other restrictions, with some protesting and suing to end them — particularly in schools. The latest numbers from the Illinois Department of Public Health continue the trend over the past week of showing dipping cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, seeming to confirm what some officials have said, that the omicron surge has passed. There are 5,238 people are hospitalized with covid statewide, the lowest number since December 27, according to IDPH numbers... Read More