Rock Island County Health Department sees 'rapid rise in deaths' due to COVID-19 Rock Island County Health Dept. is reporting the most deaths in one day, but say that number could be high due to a delay in reporting from the recent holiday. Author: Katrina Lamansky Updated: 5:23 PM CST December 28, 2020 ROCK ISLAND COUNTY, Ill. — On the Monday after Christmas, the Rock Island County Health Department reported 12 additional COVID-19 deaths in the county, growing the total death count to 243. This is the largest number of deaths reported in one day, but health department CEO Janet Hill said this is because of a delay in reporting due to the holiday weekend.