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* Three days in a row of a positivity rate at or above 8 percent leads to IDPH mitigation, and Region 3 has hit that point. The region runs from eastern Sangamon County over to the Mississippi River and as far south as Calhoun County.
* Press release…
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 6,363 new confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 56 additional deaths.
- Adams County: 1 male 70s
- Christian County: 1 male 80s
- Clark County: 1 female 80s
- Clay County: 1 female 70s
- Clinton County: 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s
- Cook County: 1 male 40s, 3 females 60s, 1 male 60s, 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 2 males 80s, 1 female 90s, 2 males 90s
- DeKalb County: 1 male 80s
- DuPage County; 1 female 40s, 1 female 80s
- Edgar County: 1 male 70s
- Ford County: 1 female 70s
- Kane County: 2 males 60s, 1 female 70s
- Lake County: 1 female 80s, 2 females 90s, 1 male 90s
- LaSalle County: 2 females 90s
- Livingston County: 1 female 70s
- Macon County: 1 male 30s
- Marion County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s
- McDonough County: 1 male 60s
- Morgan County: 1 male 60s
- Ogle County: 1 male 60s
- Rock Island County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 90s
- St. Clair County: 1 female 60s, 1 female 80s
- Tazewell County: 1 male 70s, 1 male 90s
- Wabash County: 1 male 70s
- Wayne County: 1 male 90s
- Will County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 2 males 80s
- Winnebago County: 1 male 70s, 1 male 80s, 1 male 90sCurrently, IDPH is reporting a total of 395,458 cases, including 9,675 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. Within the past 24 hours, laboratories have reported 83,056 specimens for a total 7,542,098. As of last night, 3,030 people in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 643 patients were in the ICU and 269 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.
The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from October 22 – October 28 is 6.9%. This is the number that IDPH has been consistently reporting in its daily releases and is calculated using total cases over total tests. Similar to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, IDPH has been using test positivity for regional mitigation metrics on its website since mid-July. Test positivity is calculated using the number of COVID-19 positive tests over total tests. Beginning October 29, 2020, IDPH is reporting the statewide test positivity in its daily releases. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from October 22, 2020 – October 28, 2020 is 8.2%.
Case positivity and test positivity rate are both relevant and offer insight into the bigger COVID-19 picture. Case positivity helps us understand whether changes in the number of confirmed cases is due to more testing or due to more infections. Whereas, test positivity accounts for repeated testing and helps us understand how the virus is spreading in the population over time.
*All data are provisional and will change. In order to rapidly report COVID-19 information to the public, data are being reported in real-time. Information is constantly being entered into an electronic system and the number of cases and deaths can change as additional information is gathered. For health questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.
…Adding… Press release…
Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) are announcing COVID-19 resurgence mitigations will be implemented in Region 3—West-Central Illinois—beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2020. The region has seen a 7-day rolling average test positivity rate of 8 percent or above for three consecutive days, which exceeds the thresholds set for establishing mitigation measures under the state’s Restore Illinois Resurgence Plan. Region 3 includes Hancock, Adams, Pike, Calhoun, Jersey, Greene, Scott, Brown, Schuyler, Cass, Morgan, Macoupin, Montgomery, Christian, Sangamon, Logan, Menard, and Mason counties.
The administration continues to provide relief for small businesses impacted by the ongoing pandemic. Today, the administration announced that through both the historic Business Interruption Grants (BIG) program and Local CURE funding, a total of $94 million has already been deployed to Illinois businesses and communities to help offset costs and losses due to the pandemic. In Region 3 alone, nearly $40 million in emergency grants and assistance has been awarded via both programs. Moving forward, businesses in Region 3, as well as other regions currently under additional mitigations, will receive priority consideration for the current round of BIG. These programs are guided by an equity framework and seek to address the hardest hit communities with emergency relief dollars.
“As of this morning, Region 3 – which encompasses Quincy, Springfield and much of West-Central Illinois – has now sustained an average positivity rate of 8 percent or higher for three days, today hitting 8.8 percent – meaning that, starting Sunday, they will join the majority of the state in operating under resurgence mitigations,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Something has got to give, and these mitigations aim to cut down on those high-risk activities until we bring down the positivity rate in an area once again. Because let’s be clear: well-meaning and reasonable people can have fair disagreements about how and where to draw lines and connect dots – but when every single metric in every single corner of the state is trending poorly, we have to take meaningful action to keep our people safe.”
“This is the first time a central Illinois region has needed to implement mitigation measures because of increasing positivity,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “For those residents living in regions and communities where the virus didn’t seem to be ‘that bad,’ things are changing with positivity rates steadily increasing. We’ve seen regions move into and then out of mitigation, so we know the measures work. The more people adhere to the measures, the quicker we can move out of mitigation.”
Mitigation measures taking effect November 1 in Region 3 include:
Bars
No indoor service
All outside bar service closes at 11:00 p.m.
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 tableRestaurants
No indoor dining or bar service
All outdoor dining closes at 11:00 p.m.
Outside dining 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 tableMeetings, Social Events, Gatherings
Limit to lesser of 25 guests or 25 percent of overall room capacity
No party buses
Gaming and Casinos close at 11:00 p.m., are limited to 25 percent capacity, and follow mitigations for bars and restaurants, if applicableThese mitigations do not apply to schools or polling places.
From the onset of the pandemic, support for small businesses has been one of the central features of the Pritzker administration’s COVID-19 response. Since March, the administration has launched a menu of small business and community relief programs – with over $500 million in grants and programs launched by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), including emergency hospitality grants, a downstate small business stabilization program, Fast Track Capital, and more. For more information on programs available for businesses and communities, please visit DCEO’s website.
DCEO is also actively processing reimbursements for local governments impacted by COVID-19 via the state’s Local CURES program. To date, more than $8.5 million has been awarded to governments in Region 3 to help cover the costs of the emergency response, with eligible costs including PPE and other public health expenses. All eligible governments in Region 3 can submit their certification to the department and begin submitting reimbursement requests. For more information on programs available for businesses and communities, please visit DCEO’s website.
Region 3 is currently seeing an 8.8 percent positivity rate, an increase from 4.6 percent in September, a summer peak of 6.2 percent in August, and a low of 0.9 percent in June. While most regions are seeing sustained increases in both positivity and hospitalization rates, today Region 3 is experiencing triple the amount of COVID-related hospital admissions since early September.
In the coming days, IDPH will continue to track the positivity rate in Region 3 to determine if mitigations can be relaxed, if additional mitigations are required, or if current mitigations should remain in place. If the positivity rate averages less than or equal to 6.5% for three consecutive days, then the regions will return to Phase 4 mitigations under the Restore Illinois Plan. If the positivity rate averages between 6.5% and 8%, the new mitigations will remain in place and unchanged. If the positivity rate averages greater than or equal to 8% after 14 days, more stringent mitigations may be applied to further reduce spread of the virus.
As of today, including Region 3, a total of nine of the state’s 11 regions have triggered one of the state’s failsafe state-action metric. Regions 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9 will all soon operate under Tier 1 mitigation measures given that these regions continue to report a 7-day rolling positivity rate above 8 percent. By tomorrow, Regions 10 and 11 will both operate under Tier 1 mitigations given that these regions triggered additional mitigations based on sustained increases in both positivity and hospitalization rates. Region 1 is currently operating under Tier 2 mitigation measures after continuing to see a rise in positivity, even under the Tier 1 mitigation framework, with the highest rolling positivity average in the state.
As part of the administration’s robust response to the pandemic, the state continues to strengthen its nation-leading testing operation, given that testing remains a critical step to reduce further spread of the virus. Testing is readily available throughout Illinois, with the state now averaging more than 72,000 tests per day. For a more targeted approach, the state provides mobile testing allowing testing to be directed toward communities most impacted by COVID-19. In Region 3, mobile sites will be at the Sangamon County Health Department this weekend. To find the nearest testing center, please visit DPH.Illinois.Gov/Testing.
IDPH will continue to work closely with local health departments in Region 3 to provide education to the public and offer information to businesses and organizations on safe ways to reopen. The significance of face coverings, social distancing, and hand washing have been consistently emphasized by the administration throughout the pandemic.
A full list of mitigation measures pertaining to some businesses and industries may be found on the DCEO website at www.dceocovid19resources.com/restore-illinois.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 12:43 pm
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At this rate I fear we are going to hit 10,000 deaths in Illinois on election day.
Comment by Montrose Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 12:46 pm
I’m a little confused. Is the seven-day state test positivity 6.9% or 8.2%? They did something new with the reporting as of today and I can’t quite tell the difference.
Comment by Nathan Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 12:50 pm
One has to wonder what is up with Regions 2 and 6. These are the only regions not currently backtracking. Otherwise, the entire state has slid back into some level of additional mitigation.
Comment by H-W Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 12:59 pm
And the shut-down push back will expand in a corresponding manner.
Comment by Anon y mouse Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:05 pm
“One has to wonder what is up with Regions 2 and 6. These are the only regions not currently backtracking. Otherwise, the entire state has slid back into some level of additional mitigation.”
Region 6 is 2 days over 8% when factoring out the UIUC test and Region 2 hit 7.9% on the latest data report. So it seems they will be joining the mitigation game soon.
Comment by Downstate libertarian Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:09 pm
I’m kind of sympathetic to the restaurant owners this time around but these numbers are not good.
Comment by Original Rambler Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:13 pm
Just a thought that I will likely get flamed for, but in 2019 there were 162.436 deaths in the state–all causes.
It looks like the 2020 COVID death total will be in the neighborhood 11,500 individuals. I wonder what the overall deaths will look like for 2019 vs 2020
Comment by Seaver41 Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:19 pm
-joining the mitigation game soon.-
Yeah, I’m in Region 2 and am still amazed when people without masks walk up to 2 feet from me to tell me they like my mask. I swear, one of these times I’m going to shriek “Cooties” and run from someone just to make a point.
Comment by HangingOn Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:20 pm
I’ve heard from some Springfield restaurant/bar owners who say they’re not going to shut down indoor dining. They say there’s a large group of them that aren’t going to comply. This is going to get ugly.
Comment by outside Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:22 pm
mitigation - on paper.
Without enforcement we might as well just throw out tracking these data points.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:22 pm
Of possible interest to policymakers here, the UK was subsidizing restaurant / pub bills (including, if not mistaken, sitdown meals) before their pandemic spiraled. Perhaps a subsidy for carry-out orders and food-insecure resident needs would make sense. If we can subsidize the tech-giant warehouses and server farms, can’t we subsidize the Main St. eateries and bars for carry-out?
Comment by Ares Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:29 pm
I like the carry-out subsidy idea. It is always better to incentivize than to penalize. How do you imagine that working? Waiving the sales tax?
Comment by thechampaignlife Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:53 pm
@Seaver41 Here’s your flaming. Really, what does it matter how many people died (and how) last year? These are thousands of people who didn’t have to die this year of this cause. These are friends and relatives and colleagues.
Comment by Fairycat Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:55 pm
Are these restaurant owners who say they won’t shut down indoor dining also saying they won’t abide by the capacity limits? I can’t imagine it’s worthwhile for many of them to even be open at only 25% capacity. The cost probably exceeds the benefit. Even then, that assumes enough anti-mask, anti-science, blowhards will put their health and money where their mouth is and fill those restaurants to 25% capacity.
Comment by Vader Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:55 pm
@Seaver41 From a WGN article published on 10/14…
“There have been 12,182 additional deaths — or “excess deaths” as they’re known — so far this year, compared to the average number in the last two years.
About 8,671 were classified as COVID-deaths.”
Numbers are up in a few classifications which point to the need of taking some time to look after our “neighbor”. Are they ok? Are they getting the care (physical and mental) they need?
Be well.
Comment by From DaZoo Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:21 pm
Our list of establishments to avoid continues to grow. If they can’t comply under these circumstances, we don’t suspect they will under normal circumstances. It is past time for enforcement of the rules as well as financial assistance for those business who actually try to comply.
Comment by Bungalowhistorians Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:23 pm
I live in Springfield and am sympathetic to the local restaurant owners and employees. I will support them through carryout or curbside orders. I used to eat out three or four nights a week but haven’t had a sit down meal in a restaurant since March 15th. Those businesses that operate in defiance of mitigations will not get my business now or in the future.
Comment by Manchester Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:30 pm
The UK was picking up 50% of the meal tab. In return for restaurants and bars shutting down inside service, pay 50% of the carry-out tab for them (inc sales tax, which goes to munis) and 100% for food to the food-insecure.
Comment by Ares Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:53 pm
“Remember masks help keep the risks down…how has that been working so far?”
Well, based upon the study in Kansas, pretty darn good. U of Kansas study showed a 50% reduction in the spread of COVID-19 in counties that had a mask mandate compared to those without a mandate.
https://www.kansascity.com/news/coronavirus/article246781727.html
Comment by Downstate libertarian Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 3:14 pm
how has that been working so far?===
Pretty well, where people use them. Please don’t bother to argue that they are not effective when many are not using them.
Comment by Jibba Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 3:14 pm
Cue Tom DeVore filing a suit in Sangamon County court in 3, 2, … oh nevermind.
Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 3:14 pm
A suit has just been filed in McHenry County on behalf of 37 restaurants. https://www.nwherald.com/2020/10/29/updated-crystal-lake-attorney-files-suit-to-allow-37-mchenry-county-restaurants-to-stay-open/au88aiq/
Comment by PrairieChicken Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 3:44 pm
==“Remember masks help keep the risks down…how has that been working so far?”
That’s the problem with bars and restaurants. They can follow every other guideline, but ultimately people take their masks off to eat and drink and that’s spreads the virus. The restaurants, bars, and workers deserve our help, but I don’t see, given the numbers, how they can be kept open.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 3:47 pm
Auburn High School remote learning until 11/02/20 as several students tested positive for COVID-19.
Oddly enough, Auburn parents held an unofficial Homecoming over the weekend. The hosting families said kids need memories too. Can’t make this stuff up.
Comment by BTO2 Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 3:57 pm
“Auburn parents held an unofficial Homecoming”
What the (bleep)?
Didn’t they learn anything from Mahomet’s unofficial Prom? And all the covid-19 cases it generated?
Or did the Auburn parents consider the Mahomet event a template?
Comment by Lynn S. Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 6:34 pm
6,363 new cases is totally depressing. This is bringing me to new levels of depression about covid. When will we ever get out of this mess???
Comment by DuPage Dave Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 7:39 pm
==I’ve heard from some Springfield restaurant/bar owners who say they’re not going to shut down indoor dining. They say there’s a large group of them that aren’t going to comply. This is going to get ugly.==
Langfelder was quoted in today’s SJR story about our mitigations that he was going to urge weekend dining and bars to continue business “as is” and not force them to close at 12:01AM Sunday.
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20201029/mitigations-ordered-for-springfield-region-3-after-surge-in-covid-19-cases
Comment by Chatham Resident Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 7:59 pm
The McHenry County cases will go before a local judge Friday at 10:AM, mostly likely Judge Michael Chmiel who is the Chancery judge.
Given that the Kane County case has already been appealed to the 2nd District Appellate Court, which also covers McHenry County, any decision might be deferred until that court renders an opinion.
Comment by PrairieChicken Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 11:28 pm