Governor Pritzker Warns of Greater Restrictions if COVID Numbers Don’t Improve:  As Illinois continues to see a surge in COVID cases and hospitalizations, with Region 5 in Southern Illinois with only 1 ICU bed available for an area covering 20 of the state’s 102 counties, Governor Pritzker warned earlier this week that the state may see greater restrictions and other mandates if COVID metrics don’t improve.  These measures could include mandated vaccines for more state workers and mask mandates for residents.

IDPH is reporting that 101 of Illinois’ 102 counties are seeing “high levels” of transmission, meaning that they are reporting more than 100 new cases of COVID per 100,000 residents each week.  Only Carroll County in Northwest Illinois is lower but still at a “significant level”.  In addition, at least 37 of the state’s 102 counties are at a “warning level” for intensive care unit bed availabilities, meaning that fewer than 20% of the ICU beds in those counties are available.

Here’s how the rest of the states’ regions are at in terms of their positivity rates and ICU bed availability and whether those numbers are increasing, decreasing, or holding steady:

Region 1 (Northwest Illinois)
Positivity Rate: 6.4% (decreasing)
ICU Bed Availability: 13% (decreasing)

Region 2 (West-Central Illinois)
Positivity Rate: 6.4% (steady)
ICU Bed Availability: 22% (increasing)

Region 3 (West Illinois)
Positivity Rate: 6.7% (increasing)
ICU Bed Availability: 15% (decreasing)

Region 4 (Southwest Illinois)
Positivity Rate: 8.8% (decreasing)
ICU Bed Availability: 22% (steady)

Region 5 (Southern Illinois)
Positivity Rate: 10.8% (decreasing)
ICU Bed Availability: 4% (decreasing)

Region 6 (East-Central Illinois)
Positivity Rate: 8.3% (steady)
ICU Bed Availability: 22% (steady)

Region 7 (Will, Kankakee Counties)
Positivity Rate: 6.8% (decreasing)
ICU Bed Availability: 24% (increasing)

Region 8 (Kane, DuPage Counties)
Positivity Rate: 5.9% (steady)
ICU Bed Availability: 22% (steady)

Region 9 (McHenry, Lake Counties)
Positivity Rate: 5.9% (decreasing)
ICU Bed Availability: 15% (decreasing)

Region 10 (Suburban Cook County)
Positivity Rate: 4.6% (decreasing)
ICU Bed Availability: 18% (steady)

Region 11 (Chicago)
Positivity Rate: 4.2% (decreasing)
ICU Bed Availability: 18% (decreasing)

City of Chicago Mandates All of its Employees to be Vaccinated: Today, the City of Chicago announced that it will require all city employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, effective October 15, 2021.  Masking and social distancing requirements in the workplace will still remain.

This policy applies to all city employees and volunteers. Employees can apply for medical or religious exemption from this policy. Such requests will be reviewed by the Department of Human Resources on a case-by-case basis.

More than 70 percent (more than 1.6 million) of Chicago residents over 18 have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines will be available at no cost, and no insurance or government ID is required to receive a vaccination. To learn more, visit www.Chicago.gov/COVIDvax or call 312-746-4835.

FDA Approves of Pfizer Vaccine:  Earlier this week, the FDA announced it has approved Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.  Previous vaccines, including Pfizer-BioNTech, have only been approved under an emergency use authorization.  The Pfizer vaccine will now be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee), for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA), including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.

More information on this authorization can be found in this FDA press release.

Update on Vaccinations: A total of 13,861,875 vaccines have been administered to Illinois residents. The average number of vaccines administered daily is 24,196.  According to the state’s vaccine administration data, 52.74% of the state’s overall population have been fully vaccinated with DuPage County still leading the state with almost 63% of its population fully vaccinated. Close to 76% of residents 12 and up have received their first dose.

Here’s how the rest of the state’s population by age groups ranks in terms of vaccinations:

12 years of age and older – 59% fully vaccinated; 76% one dose administered
18 years of age and older – 61% fully vaccinated; 78% one dose administered
65 years of age and older – 77% fully vaccinated; 93% one dose administered             

Additionally, the state has updated its COVID-19 website containing current locations and other pertinent information on one webpage.

Update on COVID-19 Cases: IDPH is reporting 1,499,022 positive tests of COVID-19 in Illinois, an average increase of 3,534 positive tests per day since last reported here 7 days ago on August 18.  In total, 28,393,030 tests have now been conducted in Illinois for the virus, an average increase of 69,508 per day since August 18. 

The state’s average positivity rate over all 11 regions is at 5% since August 18.  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 23,816 deaths, an average increase of 18 per day since August 18.

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, vaccinations, and interactive maps.

ACC COVID-19 Information on State COVID-19 Policy: First of all, this map depicts state policies on vaccine mandates for the private sector (complements of MultiState and linked here. )

NORTHEAST

New York
Governor Hochul has directed the New York State Department of Health (DoH) to institute a universal mask requirement in all public and private schools. DoH will issue the mandate through regulatory action established by the Public Health and Health Planning Council. Governor Hochul will also pursue options to mandate vaccines for school employees or require weekly testing.

Connecticut
Governor Lamont has announced that K-12 students must wear masks in school for at least the first month of school. 

He also issued an Executive Order requiring all state employees and staff of all childcare facilities and preK-12 schools statewide must have at least one dose the vaccine by September 27, 2021 or be tested weekly. State hospital and long-term care employees however will not have the option of being tested in lieu of vaccination.

New Jersey
Governor Murphy announced that all state workers, including teachers and public college staff, will be required to be vaccinated by Oct. 18 or undergo regular testing.

Massachusetts
Governor Baker announced that all Executive Department employees (in person and teleworking) will have to be vaccinated by Oct. 17 or if not granted an exemption they will face disciplinary action that could include termination. There will be similar mandates for requiring employees to receive boosters once the CDC issues guidance.

Rhode Island
Governor McKee announced that masks will be required for all public-school students and teachers regardless of vaccination status.

MIDATLANTIC

Ohio Law Banning Public School, University COVID Vaccine Mandates Largely Moot with Pfizer Approval
Ohio’s public schools and universities can now require COVID vaccines for staff and students, after the FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine. Language added to House Bill 244 prohibits public schools and universities from requiring vaccines approved under emergency use authorization. At the time Governor DeWine signed the bill into law, all three vaccines offered in the state were approved under emergency use authorization. That meant no public university or school could require a COVID-19 vaccine for staff or students. Pfizer is now officially approved and no longer falls under the emergency use authorization.

Pennsylvania Governor Wolf Reinstates Mask Mandate for State Employees
State employees were notified last Friday that masks would be required for all state employees regardless of vaccination status starting last Monday. However, wearing masks will still be optional for visitors to state office buildings.

West Virginia Governor Justice Announces Second Vaccination Sweepstakes
Last Friday, Governor Justice announced a second round of the “Do it for Babydog” vaccination sweepstakes as hospitalization rates are spiking. All West Virginians who have received at least one dose can enter the sweepstakes.

MID-WEST

Illinois Extends Emergency; Chicago and Cook County Issue Mandates
The Cook County Department of Public Health on 8/20/21 announced a new mask mandate -- all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to wear a mask indoors, beginning 8/23/21.  Businesses will be required to post signs.

Governor J.B. Pritzker on 8/20/21 issued an Emergency Disaster Proclamation and Executive Order 2021-19 that extends the expiration date of certain COVID-19 Executive Orders to September 18, 2021.

Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot today announced that the City of Chicago will require all city employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by 10/15/21.

Iowa City Imposes Mask Mandate
Mayor Bruce Teague on 8/20/21 issued an order that requires every person in the City of Iowa City to wear a face covering when in a public space. The order will expire on 9/30/21.  The mayor says the city order, which is directed at individuals, does not go against state law HF 847, which targets owners of real property. The law prohibits a city from adopting an ordinance, motion, resolution, or amendment, or use any other means, that requires the owner of real property to implement a policy relating to the use of facial coverings that is more stringent than a policy imposed by the state.

Kansas Schools Take Action on Masks
The Wichita Eagle reported that after 50 COVID cases, and 200 quarantines, the Johnson County school district toughened its mask mandate.   Kansas City PBS (Flatland KC) reported that two-thirds of Kansas’ 25 largest public school districts adopted mask mandates, and that Governor Laura Kelly has launched an ad campaign to boost COVID-19 vaccinations.

Michigan and Minnesota School Districts Are Split on Mask Mandates
Bridge Michigan provided a tracking chart on which school districts are requiring masks. Article 

Twin Cities Pioneer Press provided a list of school districts with and without mask rules. Headline: Some big MN school districts ignore advice on masks, quarantine.  Article

Nebraska Rejects Request for County Mask Mandate
The Lincoln Journal Star reported that the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services denied a request from Douglas County (most populated) to allow the county to issue a mask mandate.  The Director of Public Health said his agency had to balance the benefit to the public with “individual liberty.” Article

SOUTH

Georgia Governor Signs EO Weakening Local COVID-19 Order Enforcement:
Governor Brian Kemp has issued a new Executive Order that allows businesses and organizations to decide whether or not they will enforce any local COVID-19 orders. The EO also suspends any local orders that are more or less restrictive than any state Orders. Click here to view the full order.

Kentucky Must Lift School Mask Mandate, State of Emergency Following Legal Defeat:
The Kentucky Supreme Court has ruled that the state legislature does have the authority to limit the emergency powers of the Governor following a long legal battle. Due to this ruling, the State of Emergency and school mask mandate will both be lifted though the state legislature does have the authority to reinstate some of the pandemic-related orders during a Special Session if called. Click here to view an article with more information.  

ACLU Files Lawsuit Against South Carolina School Mask Mandate Ban:
The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit over a South Carolina law (included in the state general budget bill) that bans schools from requiring masks or face coverings. The ACLU alleges that the ban violates the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act as it could exclude certain vulnerable students from public schools. Click here to view an article with more information.

Texas Governor Extends Ban on Local Vaccine Mandates:
Governor Greg Abbott issued an Executive Order today that widens the ban on governmental entities in the state from requiring a COVID-19 vaccination. Under the new EO, even FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines cannot be mandated. The previous EO only included vaccine approved under emergency use. This comes after the FDA granted full approval to the Pfizer vaccine. Click here to view the full EO. Click here to view the Press Release.

WEST

California Makes Changes to COVID-19
Last week, the California Department of Public Health issued an update to the state’s general public health requirements that will go in to effect on September 20, 2021. These updated measures will remain in place until Nov. 1^st and make three notable changes to the state’s rules in place to fight COVID-19: expanded vaccine verification or negative testing requirement to indoor ‘mega events’ with more than 1k people attending; removed self-attestation as a mode for both vaccine verification and for verification of negative COVID-19 test; and extended public health rules through November 1.

Los Angeles City Votes to Mandate Vaccinations for City Staff
The Los Angeles City Council voted to require city employees to get vaccines or to undergo weekly testing. The ordinance was approved last week and provides for limited medical or religious exemptions. Read more.

Hawaii Governor Asks Tourists to Stay Away
Hawaii Governor David Ige is asking visitors and residents alike to restrict travel to essential business only. The Governor has not issued any travel bans but is appealing to folks to stay home. Read here: https://buff.ly/3DcolKS

Oregon governor announces statewide outdoor mask mandate
Governor Kate Brown announced today that she is imposing a statewide mask mandate for all residents while outdoors. This policy will be in force for all residents regardless of vaccination status. The mandate takes effect this Friday, August 27^th.  The order requires masks in outdoor settings where individuals from different households are unable to consistently maintain physical distance but not apply to ‘fleeting encounters’ such as when two people walk past each other in the park. Read the news article here.

Washington State Implements Statewide Mask Mandate
Last week Governor Jay Inslee announced a statewide mask mandate applying to all people over the age of five. The mandate is in place regardless of vaccination status and went into effect this week. The Governor’s directive also expanded the COVID-19 vaccine mandate to all K-12 employees, employees at state colleges and childcare/early learning providers. Read article.

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