COVID-19 Cases Continue to Increase - Seven of State’s 11 Regions Under Additional Mitigation Measures: As of tomorrow, Region 1 (Northwestern IL), Region 4 (St. Louis Metro), Region 5 (Southern Illinois), Region 7 (Kankakee and Will Counties), Region 8 (DuPage and Kane Counties), Region 10 (Suburban Cook County), and Region 11 (Chicago) starting this Friday will all be under additional mitigation measures due to surging COVID-19 positivity rates.  As you may recall from last week, the city of Chicago already imposed its own additional measures but these new additional restrictions will either compliment or supersede those requirements.

These regions are seeing a 7-day rolling average test positivity rate of 8% or above for three consecutive days, which exceeds the threshold set for establishing mitigation measures in the region under the state’s revamped Phase 4 plan.  The seven-day rolling average of Illinois’ positivity rate is now at 6.4%, more than triple what the rate was when the state moved to Phase 4 in July and almost a full percentage point higher than it was last week.  In fact, since the last Update (Friday, October 23), the state’s average positivity rate over the last four days is 7.4%.  If Illinois continues on this trend, we can see the entire state be placed under additional restrictions.  You can see where the various regions are at in terms of their positivity rates, hospitalizations and other metrics at this link.   

Even more troubling is, as of last night, 2,758 people in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 595 patients were in the ICU and 241 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.  This is the highest hospitalization rate since the beginning of June.  Just in suburban Cook County over the last week, daily hospital admissions for COVID-like illnesses increased by 58%.

In addition to face covering, social distancing, and hand washing requirements, these mitigation efforts include the following measures which will remain in effect over a 14-day period after which, more stringent mitigation measures will be implemented if the region’s positivity rate does not improve.

For bars:

• All bars close at 11:00pm
• No indoor service
• All bar patrons should be seated at tables outside
• No ordering, seating, or congregating at bar (bar stools should be removed)
• Tables should be 6 feet apart
• No standing or congregating indoors or outdoors while waiting for a table or exiting
• No dancing or standing indoors
• Reservations required for each party
• No seating of multiple parties at one table

For restaurants:

• All restaurants close at 11:00pm
• No indoor dining or bar service
• Tables should be 6 feet apart
• No standing or congregating indoors or outdoors while waiting for a table or exiting
• Reservations required for each party
• No seating of multiple parties at one table

For meetings, social events and gatherings:

• Limit to lesser of 25 guests or 25% of overall room capacity
• No party buses
• Gaming and Casinos close at 11:00pm, are limited to 25 percent capacity, and follow mitigations for bars and restaurants

It should be noted, however, at this time these increased mitigation efforts will not include classrooms, where applicable, or polling places.

A full list of mitigation measures pertaining to some businesses and industries may also be found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) website at DCEO COVID-19 resources

Update on COVID-19 Cases: IDPH is reporting 382,985 positive tests of COVID-19 in Illinois, an average increase of 4,738 new positive tests per day since reported here 4 days ago on October 23.  In total, 7,388,290 tests have now been conducted in Illinois for the virus, an average increase of 63,738 tests per day since October 23.  The state’s average positivity rate over all 11 regions is at 6.4 % for the last week, but at 7.4% over the last 4 days.  You can see where the various regions are at in terms of their positivity rates, hospitalizations and other metrics at this link. 

Unfortunately, IDPH is reporting a total of 9,568 deaths, an average increase of 37 per day since October 23.

You can also check where these cases are occurring at the State of Illinois COVID-19 website which also contains more information on this outbreak.

Also, IDPH has a case breakdown of the number of positive cases in Chicago and each county relative to the number of fatalities.  The IDPH website also now includes a breakdown of the cases under each zip code in the state.

For information on other states and countries, John Hopkins University has developed this website that provides invaluable resources at a one-stop location detailing testing and tracing trends, timelines of COVID-19 policies, and interactive maps.

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