Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Open thread
Next Post: Yeah, this will work out well
Posted in:
* Capitol News Illinois…
The state’s COVID-19 seven-day average case positivity rate dropped to 5.7 percent Tuesday, the lowest it has been since Oct. 23.
The positivity rate peaked at 13.2 percent on a rolling average as of Nov. 13, and the entire state entered strict Tier 3 mitigations on Nov. 20. Since then the positivity rate has been on a continual downward trend except for the two weeks following Christmas day when it rose from just under 7 percent to over 8.5 percent before beginning to fall again.
Hospitalizations for the disease continued on a gradual downward arc as well, decreasing for the eighth week in a row as of Sunday night after peaking the week ending Nov. 22.
There were 3,335 people reported hospitalized for COVID-19 in Illinois as of Monday night, while there were 3,473 people hospitalized on average each night for the seven days prior. That marked a 7 percent decrease from the week prior and a 43 percent drop from its peak the week ending Nov. 22.
Intensive care unit beds have followed similar trends with 713 of them in use by COVID-19 patients Monday night and 728 in use on average each night for the seven days prior. That marked a 5.9 percent decrease from the week prior and a 40 percent decrease from the week ending Nov. 29, when there were 1,209 in use on average.
While hospitalizations have declined here by 43 percent since November 22nd, they’ve increased nationally since that same date by 48 percent. Also, every Great Lakes state has a higher test positivity rate than Illinois. Ohio’s is the highest at 13.1. Michigan is the lowest at 6.4.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 9:37 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Open thread
Next Post: Yeah, this will work out well
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
One can only wonder where we would be if not for the likes of Bailey, DeVore, and the “patriots” that followed them.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 9:40 am
Let’s hope that was the last big wave of this pandemic.
We need a PR campaign of a football coach, hyping up the team saying its the fourth quarter, let’s finish strong etc.
Comment by Dee Lay Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 9:43 am
===Also, every Great Lakes state has a higher test positivity rate than Illinois.===
Gee, maybe taking the pandemic seriously wasn’t such a bad decision after all.
Comment by Just Me 2 Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 9:45 am
The COVID ship turns very slowly. In the spring and fall peaks, it took 2 months to bend the curve and thousands died. And the second it gets better we want to rush back to indoor dining and sports? No thanks.
Comment by Jibba Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 9:52 am
I don’t know if it was the health department or these businesses taking charge, but the stores in my area have been enforcing mask wearing for the last 5 or 6 weeks. Though, I worry about restaurants reopening at “25% capacity.” Went to one of my favorite restaurants in Peoria and the place was at minimum 75% capacity. It was pretty packed. Which I understand, these businesses need to make money to survive. But now that we’ve opened the door to indoor dining, good luck enforcing any restrictions on capacity.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 9:53 am
F0rgive me Rich for being a broken record: the story about the importance of mask *quality* is just starting to break through. Countries in Europe are *requiring* the N95-type masks which are far more effective than cloth or the cheap “surgical mask” knockoffs. New York Times and others reporting that wearing 2 cloth masks are more effective than one (though KN94 and KF94 are widely available) Very simple steps we could be taking to slow the spread.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/europe-coronavirus-masks-regulations/2021/01/20/23463c08-5a74-11eb-a849-6f9423a75ffd_story.html
Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 9:54 am
watching everyone…but especially Republican elected officials and Trump Supreme Court appointees….wearing masks for the Inauguration should send a message to all. wear a mask.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 10:01 am
=== While hospitalizations have declined here by 43 percent since November 22nd, they’ve increased nationally since that same date by 48 percent.===
A credit to Illinoisans, that’s for sure, but also a real testament to the leadership the Pritzker Administration has shown in the big picture of safety and pushing for a public effort to recognize the needs to the pandemic.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 10:04 am
=And the second it gets better we want to rush back to indoor dining and sports? No thanks.=
Amen. We are allowing (and closely monitoring) some workouts and practices. I don’t like it. If we have competition the next battle will be the number of fans we allow or don’t allow. If we can hold off until the outdoor spring seasons, we would be better off.
@Amalia- yes, I am hoping the change in attitude topward masking etc. by national leadership will spur some change at home.
The Bailey type cranks will still be out there but hopefully diminished.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 10:06 am
Good title Rich. There are ebbs and flows not only nationally but globally. We are doing well now but don’t let that make us content.
Comment by Lurker Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 10:11 am
Kudos to our intelligent citizens who listened to logic and reason instead of the hyperbole of uninformed charlatans. Let’s keep it up
Comment by Drake Mallard Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 10:15 am
It’s almost as if mitigation mitigates. What a surprise.
Comment by Menardian Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 10:20 am
Mitigations helped, no doubt.
But, I’ve got to think that we are seeing the early returns on vaccinations helping with slowing the spread.
Work remains. Reopening slowly, vaccinate quickly.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 10:20 am
===I’ve got to think===
If that was true, other states would be doing better.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 10:23 am
The City of Springfield, shortly after allowing bars and restaurants to reopen indoors again, is already pledging “more restrictive” mitigation guidelines than the rest of Region 3.
Why can’t the city just stick with the IDPH guidelines and follow them to a T?
https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/2021/01/20/covid-19-local-guidlines-remain-more-restrictive-phase-4/4226556001/
Comment by Essential State Employee Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 11:13 am
Gotta put in a positive plug for the Eastern Bloc. This afternoon Mrs. Zat and I will get COVID vaccines at Sarah Bush Lincoln Hosp. We are in the 1B group. Coles County PH sent out an availability notice (and after serious numbers of phone calls) we got scheduled now and later in Feb. Still gonna mask, wash, distance. Someone is doing the work behind the scene.
Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 11:32 am
I wonder what will happen in DC and around the country with COVID after today’s Biden Super Spreader Event. No social distancing at the Inauguration? Good thing Madigan didn’t allow guests at last week’s inauguration of the 102nd GA. Snark
Comment by Southern Belle Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 11:44 am
=== I wonder what will happen in DC and around the country with COVID after today’s Biden Super Spreader Event.===
This gaslighting is comical and sad.
Masks, for one, were far more in use than the White House super spreader event.
But, if you can’t make it a partisan gaslighting, the “whataboutism” isn’t as “fun”
You could be sincere and hope for everyone’s safety and health. You chose not to do that.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 11:48 am
“the N95-type masks which are far more effective than cloth or the cheap “surgical mask” knockoffs”
I wear an N95 under my (very stylish) cloth mask.
Best of both worlds.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 11:51 am
=I wonder what will happen in DC =
Go check out youtube and look at videos from the summer cult rallies and White House self appreciation event. If the inauguration of a real president is worse (SPOILER ALERT it wasn’t) then you can crow about it.
I actually saw some people double masking at the inauguration.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 12:00 pm
==LCD== I’m the same broken record. I thought back in March that the DPA should’ve been invoked to make a few billion N95’s. Masks have always been the answer and in the absence of high quality the best defense is multiple masks. A good multi layer cloth mask and a real three layer surgical mask over it. Saw lots of Dr’s overseas and locally doing it with N95’s so they know that multiple layers work.
Comment by Anotherretiree Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 12:07 pm
the facts are really NOT debatable. If we all wear masks, the right masks, the right way….COVID would have been defeated with life losses of a fraction of where we are and where we are going. ALL those who advocated for anti-masks ALL HAVE the deaths on their hands. They will need to explain come judgement day. Not us who chose decency and responsibility to others
Comment by truthteller Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 1:35 pm
I am a bit miffed at the fact Region 7 has better metrics than Regions 8 and 9 as of today acoording to the IDPH site yet 7 is still in Tier 3?
Comment by TheGoodLieutenant Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 1:46 pm
=== as of today===
One day does not a trend make. Or, in this case, two.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 1:48 pm
=== as of today===
==One day does not a trend make.==
Let’s see. Positivity has dropped for 11 consecutive days and stands at 7.4%. ICU bed availability has been above the threshold for 11 consecutive days and Patients in the hospital have been decreasing since 1/11. I would say those are trends.
Meanwhile Regions 8 and 9 have higher positivity rates and have seen increases in patients over the past several days.
Comment by TheGoodLieutenant Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 1:55 pm
===Positivity has dropped for 11 consecutive days and stands at 7.4%===
Been under 8 for just two days. Sheesh, man.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 1:58 pm
==Been under 8 for just two days. Sheesh, man.==
And yet regions 8 and 9 have yet to go below 8%. Not sure how that works.
Comment by TheGoodLieutenant Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 2:01 pm
Meanwhile, the Chicago Tribune is editorializing that Pritzker should open restaurants because “Chicago could cut down new infections by more than 80% while only losing 42% of overall restaurant visits.” I checked their source, Nature magazine: “If occupancy was capped at 20%, new infections would be reduced by more than 80% to about 650,000 cases.” Worth 650,000 more cases to have open restaurants? I’ll certainly be staying home with statistics like that.
Comment by Ben Tre Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 3:46 pm
Follow up for Covid vaccine in Coles County. In/out in 35 minutes. Organized with multiple check points and nice waiting area. Needle boxes were getting full at each nurse station so they are doing volume. People I talked to are all staying home, masking, and avoiding large groups. This thing can work statewide.
Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 6:09 pm