Delta variant continues quick spread across Illinois Only about 10% of the state's positive COVID-19 tests are sent to labs for genomic sequencing to determine what strain of the virus caused the infection. Associated Press/March 4
During the past week, 279 new variant cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed in Illinois.w Illinois Department of Public Health researchers said Friday that 72% of the new variant cases -- 200 in all -- were the highly contagious delta variant.
While that may seem like a small number, keep in mind only 10% of the state's positive test samples are sent to labs each week to have genomic sequencing performed to identify the proliferation of variants, health officials said.