Today, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported that 13 Illinois counties are now considered to be at a warning level for COVID-19. For a county to enter a warning level, two or more COVID-19 risk indicator measurements increase. The thirteen counties are Cass, Coles, Grundy, Iroquois, Jackson, Monroe, Perry, Saline, St. Clair, Tazewell, Union, Williamson, and Winnebago.
Those counties had cases or outbreaks related to businesses, large social gatherings, out of state travel, and long-term care facilities. On several occasions, there were multiple cases among families within the same, large household. Students on their way back to college also increased the cases in some communities. Some students refrain from wearing facemasks or social distancing while holding large gatherings.
In response to the warning, some counties are working with university administrations for student education and contract tracing. Other steps have included canceling events and festivals and working with county boards of health.
The Illinois Department of Public Health uses a number of indicators when determining if a county is experiencing stable COVID-19 activity, or if there are any warning signs of elevated COVID-19 risk in the county.
- Number of deaths – This metric indicates a warning when the weekly number of deaths has increased by more than 20% for two consecutive weeks.
- New cases per 100,000 people – If there are more than 50 new cases per 100,000 people in the county, this will trigger a warning.
- Weekly test positivity – This metric indicates a warning when the 7-day test positivity rate rises above 8%.
- ICU availability – If there are fewer than 20% of intensive care units available in the region, this triggers a warning.
- Clusters – This metric looks at the percent of COVID-19 cases associated with clusters or outbreaks and is used to understand a large increase in cases.
- Weekly emergency department visits – This metric indicates a warning when the weekly percent of COVID-19-like-illness emergency department visits increase by more than 20% for two consecutive weeks.
- Weekly hospital admissions – A warning is triggered when the weekly number of hospital admissions for COVID-19-like-illness increases by more than 20% for two consecutive weeks.
- Tests performed – This metric is used to provide context and indicate if more testing is needed in the county.
