MCHENRY COUNTY - The North Suburban Region 9, which includes Lake and McHenry Counties, is nearing thresholds set by the State of Illinois that could trigger new mitigation measures in the region as early as next week. The Lake County Health Department and McHenry County Department of Health are urging the public to take action to slow the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

Region 9 has seen troubling increases in both the 7-day rolling average test positivity rate and new hospital admissions for COVID-like illness (CLI) over the past two weeks.

WOODSTOCK —The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk level in McHenry County has changed from blue to orange on the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) County Level Risk Metrics Map, indicating an increased risk of COVID-19 in the county.

IDPH places a county at the orange ‘Warning’ level when at least two of the eight main indicators used to evaluate COVID-19 disease transmission show increased spread. Each county is regularly assessed to determine whether it is meeting or exceeding each indicator target.

WOODSTOCK — The McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) will be sponsoring a no-charge tire recycling event for pre-registered McHenry County residents in November.

Registered participants may drop off tires smaller than 48 inches in diameter from 9 a.m. – noon on November 7 at the McHenry County Division of Transportation, 16111 Nelson Road in Woodstock.

Participants must wear a mask and maintain social distancing and are responsible for unloading tires that are to be recycled.

Solid Waste Manager Kelli Boeckmann said the event is a good opportunity for residents to reduce the potential for mosquito harborage on their property.