MENDOTA – Positive cases of COVID-19 are on the rise in LaSalle County and Mendota. Because of that, Mendota Mayor David Boelk issued the following statement:

“As of today, Aug. 3, the City of Mendota has experienced a five-fold increase in the number of COVID 19 cases in just over three weeks. We have 106 positive cases out of 1,063 tests. That is a positivity rate of almost 10%. Now is the time that I call on everyone to do their part and stay home if possible, wear a mask and socially distance if you cannot.

“I am urging you as the Mayor, as a colleague, as a neighbor and as a father to take this seriously. We are in this together and you have an active role in the outcome. When we look at the statistics, we know that 15-20% of those infected have a severe case where hospitalization is necessary. Of those, up to 50% will need a ventilator. Of those, 50% could die. We are a small community and chances are, you will know the person or people who will suffer severely or possibly succumb to this terrible virus.

“If the numbers increase in the next 24 hours, we will have no choice but to issue an executive order mandating all non-essential businesses to close in the City of Mendota. We will order the Mendota Police Department to start issuing fines to people not wearing masks in public. We will fine those people deeming it necessary to hold gatherings of more than 10 people.

“Understand that we take no pleasure in what some may see as a threat. We, however, feel a moral responsibility to do what we must to keep our residents as safe and to quell this surge as quickly and efficiently as possible. Please wear a mask in public, social distance, wash your hands frequently and stay at home as much as possible.

“As of today, the City Clerk's lobby will be closed to walk-in traffic. The Mendota Police Department is also closed to walk-in traffic.”