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* Press release…
Governor Pritzker and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike today announced a metrics-based, vaccination-informed framework for Illinois to advance to Phase 5 of the state’s Restore Illinois Plan, our new normal. In recognition of an increasing national vaccine supply and the state now averaging 100,000 vaccine administrations per day, Governor Pritzker also announced that all Illinois residents age 16+ will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine starting April 12th, with additional announcements to come about populations who will be made eligible prior to universal eligibility.
Currently, every region of the state is in Phase 4 of the five-phase Restore Illinois mitigation plan, with Phase 5 comprising a post-pandemic normalcy as detailed here. The newly announced metrics offer Illinois a bridge between the state’s current Phase 4 restrictions and the “new normal” operations of Phase 5. This “Bridge Phase” will serve as a transition period with higher capacity limits and increased business operations, without prematurely embracing a reckless reopening before the majority of Illinoisans have been vaccinated. All regions of the state will move through the Bridge Phase and ultimately to Phase 5, together. The state’s mask mandate will continue in accordance with current CDC guidance.
“COVID-19 has not gone away, but the light we can see at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter and brighter as more people get vaccinated,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “It’s time to begin to cautiously move toward normalcy, and it’s imperative that we do so in a way that maintains all the progress we’ve made to date. With projections from the Biden Administration indicating that weekly vaccine deliveries to Illinois will surpass one million doses in April, it is fully in our power to turn the page on this dark and devastating chapter even as we race a tough clock: the new variants. I invite all Illinoisans to join me in wearing your mask and getting vaccinated when it’s your turn. Step by step, we can get out of this the same we came into it – together.”
“We want and need to move forward, but we must be measured and cautious in the approach,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “Rather than flipping a switch and saying we’re now in Phase 5, we’re looking at it more like a dial – dialing back some of the capacity restrictions that helped reduce transmission, and ultimately the number of new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. We don’t want to move too quickly and risk a significant reversal of our progress.”
“We are proud to have worked alongside IDPH and our industry partners to craft guidelines that will allow a safe return for some of the biggest economic drivers in our state,” said Sylvia Garcia, Acting Director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). “This measured approach to reopening under Governor Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan will help support a sustained economic recovery for our businesses and communities.”
METRICS AND GUIDELINES
As Illinois moves towards our new normal, the administration is outlining clear metrics that will allow the state to continue progressing in the battle against COVID-19 without sacrificing the gains made over the last twelve months.
The bridge to Phase 5 allows for higher capacity limits at places like museums, zoos and spectator events as well as increased business operations. As with all mitigations the administration has implemented to combat the virus to date, the Bridge Phase is based on science and was developed by health experts.
To advance into the Bridge Phase, the entire state must reach a 70% first dose vaccination rate for residents 65 and over, maintain a 20% or lower ICU bed availability rate and hold steady on COVID-19 and COVID-like illness hospital admissions, mortality rate, and case rate over a 28-day monitoring period. To advance to Phase 5, the state must reach a 50% vaccination rate for residents age 16 and over and meet the same metrics and rates required to enter the transition phase, over an additional 28-day period.
To prevent a large increase in new COVID-19 cases, Illinois will revert back to an earlier phase if over the course of 10 days the state experiences an increasing trend in COVID-19 and COVID-like illness hospital admissions, a decrease in ICU bed availability, an increase in the mortality rate, and an increasing case rate.
In an update to current Phase 4 mitigations and the capacity limits of the bridge to Phase 5, individuals with proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test (PCR) 1-3 days prior to an event or outing do not count against capacity limits. The mitigation plan announced today also includes additional adjustments to current Phase 4 mitigations, made in coordination with business leaders and health experts, to ensure mitigations reflect the latest science and are consistent across industries.
As regulations are rolled back gradually in the weeks ahead, Illinoisans should continue practicing the public health guidelines that have kept us safe during the pandemic, including wearing face coverings and maintaining social distance.
“Today’s announcement provides what retailers across Illinois have been seeking: a clear path forward to a full re-opening that will help stem the devastation the pandemic has inflicted on the industry. This will also help bring some financial stability to state and local governments that rely on the vital revenue stream retail generates. With the expanding availability of vaccines – including those offered at hundreds of retail pharmacy locations across Illinois – we are hopeful the pathway toward a full re-opening will be a short one,” said Rob Karr, President and CEO, Illinois Retail Merchants Association.
“The plan outlined by Governor Pritzker is a step in the right direction, and we appreciate him understanding the need for a roadmap to allow hotels and convention centers to hold larger meetings and events,” said Michael Jacobson, President and CEO, Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association. “This underscores the importance of providing clarity to event planners, supports our shared goal of getting people back to work safely, and illustrates why the Governor’s announcement reflects his desire to serve as the chief marketing officer for the state.”
“While we still have a long way to go, today’s announcement is an important step towards recovery,” said Sam Toia, President and CEO, Illinois Restaurant Association. “We have urged Governor Pritzker to set a path to allow for expanded events with extensive safety measures in place, and this pragmatic approach to loosening restrictions will greatly enhance business opportunities for restaurants, event companies, conventions, and culinary tourism — all of which are critical to Illinois’ economic engine.”
COVID-19 VACCINE AVAILABILITY
Since the COVID-19 vaccine was first made available in Illinois last December, the state has administered over 4.3 million doses. Through partnerships with local health departments, pharmacies, community health centers and other care providers, the state is currently administering an average of 100,000 vaccines each day. So far, the state has administered the COVID-19 vaccine to more than 1 in 4 Illinois adults over the age of 16, including over 58% of Illinoisans ages 65 and over.
Since coming into office two months ago, the Biden Administration has taken the weekly vaccine distribution to states from 8.6 million when it came into office to over 16 million this week. Back in December, the first shipment that came into Illinois was about 109,000 doses. This week, including the federal government’s allocations for pharmacy partners, community health centers, the United Center and the City of Chicago, more than 800,000 doses were delivered to Illinois. Based on current projections, the state expects that number to surpass one million doses a week in April.
Thanks to an increased allocation of vaccine doses from the federal government, all Illinois residents will be eligible to receive the vaccine beginning April 12th. At that date, all state-supported mass vaccination sites, local health departments, pharmacy partners – in short, every jurisdiction that receives vaccine from the State of Illinois’ allocation – will be instructed to move to widespread eligibility.
Currently, all vaccines are administered by appointment only. While vaccine eligibility is expanding on April 12th, making an appointment to receive a shot may take time. Information regarding vaccination locations as well as details on how to book an appointment to receive the vaccine can be found at the state’s COVID website, coronavirus.illinois.gov. Residents who don’t have access to or need assistance navigating online services can call the toll-free IDPH hotline at 833-621-1284 to book an appointment. The hotline is open 7 days a week from 6am to midnight with agents available in English and Spanish.
Illinoisans who are not currently eligible to receive the vaccine cannot schedule an appointment for a future date. Residents are encouraged to be patient in the days and weeks following April 12th as vaccination appointments may be limited.
To date, the FDA has authorized the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in 16- and 17-year-olds as well as adults. The Johnson & Johnson and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are currently FDA authorized for use in those 18 and older.
*** UPDATE *** I should’ve included these charts…
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:43 am
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I like the first dose metric as opposed to fully vaccinated. Lots of data shows strong impacts on the virus after just one shot.
I don’t like that it seems there is no appreciation for the immunity that occurs because of past infection. We’ve got lots of folks who have been sick from October on and those individuals are largely protected.
And why 28 days? It’s always 28 days.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 12:02 pm
== We’ve got lots of folks who have been sick from October on and those individuals are largely protected. ==
We don’t know that for sure, but in any event, the bridge phase ends when 50% of adults get their first dose. That’s nowhere near full herd immunity, and doesn’t even take kids into consideration, who can’t be vaccinated until the fall at the earliest. So if anything, the plan seems to implicitly depend on some level of natural immunity in the population beyond the 50% who get their first shot.
== And why 28 days? ==
Two incubation periods.
Comment by Quibbler Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 12:05 pm
Where do they come up with this stuff?
Comment by Collinsville Kevin Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 12:09 pm
A few days ago my child brought Covid home daycare. I had my first vaccine and still got Covid. This is going to be an issue until everyone including 16 and under are vaccinated.
Comment by John M. Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 12:16 pm
“individuals with proof of full vaccination”
This is only for the bridge phase right? Once we move to phase 5 this isn’t required?
Comment by 1st Ward Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 12:19 pm
@ John - This is going to be an issue for years.
And you aren’t in the hospital right? The vaccine did what it’s designed to do.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 12:25 pm
“To advance into the Bridge Phase”
I’m just trying to find the bridge. Has anyone seen the bridge? (h/t Robert Plant)
So glad we have a leader who is following metrics instead of reopening the state willy nilly. Try to land this massive plane as safely as possible.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 12:37 pm
“20% or lower ICU bed availability rate”
It’s possible that I’m not reading that correctly, but shouldn’t that be 20% or higher?
Comment by Fly Creek Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 12:51 pm
==Has anyone seen the bridge?==
Where’s that confounded bridge?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWf5FYSK7Yc
Comment by Plant-Man Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 1:11 pm
The vaccine’s full efficacy is two weeks after the second dose (Moderna, Pfizer) and two weeks after the single dose (Johnson & Johnson). Plenty of opportunity to get COVID before that time elapses though it seems like people with one dose have largely missed the terrible outcomes.
Comment by Rich Hill Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 1:16 pm
At the current vaccination rate, any idea how long it may take to hit 70% threshold for those 65 years of age and older? Is this estimated in weeks or months?
Comment by Magic Dragon Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 1:23 pm
@Magic Dragon See here: https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/vaccinedata?county=Illinois
You are looking for the blue and purple bars halfway down (which shouldn’t be stacked… shrug). For example, Lake is at 60% 65+ with first shot. Cook is at 55%. The default view is doses but under “Demographics” you can change the numbers to “Persons Fully Vaccinated,” which goes to 31% Lake / 35% Cook for 65+.
That doesn’t directly answer your question but the Bridge threshold doesn’t seem far off.
Comment by GC Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 2:35 pm
I hate the unnecessary over complication due to inconsistencies no one can understand. Simple examples include 15 per 1000 feet and then 30 per 1000 feet for similar activities. And that recreation is different than social event (does anyone know how those differ?) is hilariously odd.
My goodness people… SIMPLIFY
Comment by Lurker Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 3:05 pm
I was interested to see the 60% capacity metric for “offices” in the bridge phase. We’ve been told we all have to be back in the office full time by July 1, I guess they are assuming we will be at phase 5 by then.
Comment by tea_and_honey Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 3:22 pm
Tea and honey - is the employer telling you that in the private or public sector?
Comment by Seats Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 3:39 pm
-seats-
I work for a state university.
Comment by tea_and_honey Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 4:16 pm
=I was interested to see the 60% capacity metric for “offices” in the bridge phase. We’ve been told we all have to be back in the office full time by July 1=
That rule doesn’t apply to state agencies and employees uniformly, apparently.
We’re well aware about IDES offices still being closed to the public (and I presume their employees still working remotely and sometimes in-office a few days). But there are a lot of state offices, including in the Capitol Complex, that have been back to work in office and even at full capacity since last year. In fact, Secretary of State reopened all their offices and brought everyone back in person 100% last June 1st immediately after stay-at-home was lifted.
Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 5:44 pm