* Gov. JB Pritzker held a press conference in Chicago today, saying he wanted to talk about how to “preserve the progress” that this state has made on COVID-19. Make sure to pardon all transcription errors…

The people of Illinois have once again proven themselves to be the most resilient dedicated and compassionate people in the United States to put some perspective on this, Illinois now has the lowest infection rates among all of our neighboring states, between one half and one third of their positivity rates. Indeed we have one of the lowest positivity rates in the country. And it’s because of the individual actions of millions of residents. […]

Ours was the first state in the nation to be able to test for COVID-19. Now Illinois is hitting a record weekly average of more than 33,000 tests per day, crossing the 2 million test threshold earlier this week. […]

And we have tripled the number of contact tracers that we had just six weeks ago.

In the first two months, our seven-day rolling average positivity reached over 23% at its peak. Today we’re averaging 3%. […]

That said, many people want to know if we’re out of the woods, and they’re wondering what’s next. So I’m here today to outline the path ahead and make sure that we all know what will cause us to impose further mitigations.

* OK, here we go…

The epidemiologists and professionals at IDPH have determined that we need to take action in a region if we see a sustained rise in the positivity rate, along with either a sustained increase in COVID-19 hospital admissions, or a reduction in hospital surge capacities.

A sustained rise in the positivity rate is defined as an increase in the seven-day rolling average for seven days out of a 10 day period. In addition, if any region hits three consecutive days of an 8% average positivity rate that will require action period. […]

We’re also today changing the boundaries and the number of health regions in Illinois. Unlike when we first introduced the restoring Illinois plan at the beginning of May, our growth in testing and tracing has given us a much more surgical ability to manage outbreaks and address problems locally. […]

For example, the city of Chicago will be in a region of its own. As will suburban Cook County. As for the collar counties, we’ve shifted regions based on geographic contiguity. For example, Kendall and Grundy counties will now be in a region that is not part of the collar counties. […]

This plan lays out an array of mitigation strategies that can be applied if a region breaches the Resurgence metrics. These mitigations cover categories like bars and restaurants, meetings, social events, religious gatherings and organized group recreational activities like adult and youth sports.

I’ll get you those maps as soon as I receive them. Updates in a moment.

* Youth sports…

I’m also deeply troubled by outbreaks that we’re seeing all around the state tied to activities like youth sports, like in Lake Zurich where dozens of students and parents have tested positive in a related outbreak. And in Knox County, where a teen softball league is also experiencing an outbreak. Remember, the degree to which we can reduce risk and restore aspects of our daily lives is still unfolding. We’re continually evaluating what works and what doesn’t work. And we’re taking a good hard look at how youth sports fits into that conversation.

* Regarding the ISBE guidelines for reopening schools…

To be very clear here, any district that intends to disregard this guidance is gambling with the lives of our children, teachers, and families. Districts that don’t live up to public health guidelines and standards and don’t make a genuine attempt to protect their communities from this virus could be held liable in the courts by community members who are ill-affected.

I’m a father. I understand that parents are worried sick about having to choose between seeing their kids miss even more in-person schooling at critical ages and the very real threat of this virus. Good people with good intentions can disagree on how and when kids should go back to school. But let me be clear, I wouldn’t let my own children return to a school where masks are not mandatory and serious effort hasn’t been made to keep students distanced during the day. This should not be controversial.

* Here are the new regions…

NORTH: Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, Winnebago
NORTH-CENTRAL: Bureau, Fulton, Grundy, Henderson, Henry, Kendall, Knox, La Salle, Livingston, Marshall, McDonough, McLean, Mercer, Peoria, Putnam, Rock Island, Stark, Tazewell, Warren, Woodford
WEST-CENTRAL: Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Christian, Greene, Hancock, Jersey, Logan, Macoupin, Mason, Mason, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Pike, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott
METRO EAST: Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, Washington
SOUTHERN: Alexander, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Marion, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union, Wabash, Wayne, White, Williamson
EAST-CENTRAL: Champaign, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, De Witt, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Iroquois, Jasper, Lawrence, Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, Richland, Shelby, Vermillion
SOUTH SUBURBAN: Kankakee, Will
WEST SUBURBAN: DuPage, Kane
NORTH SUBURBAN: Lake, McHenry
SUBURBAN COOK: Suburban Cook
CHICAGO: City of Chicago

* Metrics that will trigger mitigation…

• Sustained increase in 7-day rolling average (7 out of 10 days) in the positivity rate and one of the following severity indicators:

o Sustained 7-day increase in hospital admissions for a COVID-19 like illness
o Reduction in hospital capacity threatening surge capabilities (ICU capacity or medical/surgical beds < 20%)

• OR three consecutive days averaging ≥ 8% positivity rate

* Mitigation…

Some mitigation strategies in higher risk settings, like indoor bars and restaurants, will be automatically applied in a region that meets resurgence criteria to prevent rapid spread of COVID-19. A larger list of mitigation strategies relating to settings like retail, fitness, and salons and personal care will be available if testing and contact tracing data at the local level indicate those mitigations to be prudent.

* Contact tracing…

The state has also worked to expand its contact tracing operation, with approximately 1,450 contact tracers now working across Illinois. Over the next week, 26 local health departments will receive additional funding from the state, representing over $127 million of available grant funds for contact tracing. With these funds, local health departments will hire approximately 1,330 contact tracers over the next few months and significantly expand their contact tracing efforts.

The state currently has about a third of the tracers it needs.

* Back to the governor…

When you go out without a mask, or host secret parties, stuff your bar or restaurant to capacity despite the warnings, ignore common sense in your worship practices, it’s not a political statement. You’re hurting your neighbor who is desperate to keep their business open, or your friend who has an immunocompromised child who has been inside for months, or your parents who don’t have the same defenses against this virus that you may.

I’ll have questions on another post.