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* Press release…
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 20 counties in Illinois are considered to be at a warning level for novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). A county enters a warning level when two or more COVID-19 risk indicators that measure the amount of COVID-19 increase.
Twenty counties are currently reported at a warning level – Bureau, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Franklin, Greene, Grundy, Hancock, Henderson, Jefferson, Logan, Madison, Monroe, Moultrie, Randolph, St. Clair, Union, Whiteside, Will, and Williamson.
These counties saw cases or outbreaks associated with weddings, businesses, neighborhood gatherings, parties, long-term care facilities and other congregate settings, travel to neighboring states, bars, sports camps, and spread among members of the same household who are not isolating at home. Cases connected to schools are also beginning to be reported.
Public health officials are observing people not social distancing or using face coverings. Additionally, there are reports of individuals who are ill attributing their symptoms to allergies or other illnesses, or not being forthcoming about their symptoms or close contacts.
Several counties are taking swift action and implementing mitigation measures to help slow spread of the virus, including working to increase testing in their communities and launching mask campaigns such as “Masks on Faces Keeps Places Open.”
IDPH uses numerous indicators when determining if a county is experiencing stable COVID-19 activity, or if there are warning signs of increased COVID-19 risk in the county.
• New cases per 100,000 people. If there are more than 50 new cases per 100,000 people in the county, this triggers a warning.
• Number of deaths. This metric indicates a warning when the weekly number of deaths increases more than 20% for two consecutive weeks.
• 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.
• 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 perform. This metric is used to provide context and indicate if more testing is needed in the county.
• Clusters. This metric looks at the percent of COVID-19 cases associated with clusters or outbreaks and is used to understand large increase in cases.These metrics are intended to be used for local level awareness to help local leaders, businesses, local health departments, and the public make informed decisions about personal and family gatherings, as well as what activities they choose to do. The metrics are updated weekly, from the Sunday-Saturday of the prior week.
A map and information of each county’s status can be found on the IDPH website at https://www.dph.illinois.gov/countymetrics.
Clay County, of course, has been where Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) and Tom DeVore have filed several COVID-related lawsuits, which have now been moved to Sangamon County (which is not on the warning list).
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 21, 20 @ 1:25 pm
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Taunting, humor and any other comments that degrade people in counties on this list will not be tolerated. Don’t push me on this one.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 21, 20 @ 1:29 pm
I’m sure that judge will just declare COVID-19 to be in contempt of court and order it to be jailed. That should take care of things. /s
Comment by Northsider Friday, Aug 21, 20 @ 1:30 pm
I don’t want to anger the gods on this one, so I’ll just say,
I hope the elected officials in these counties, begin to realize the extreme gravity of this situation and work hard to educate their constituents on the same.
I hope we can all work together to arrest the spread of this disease, so we may all go back to a semblance of normalcy
Comment by Someone you Should Know Friday, Aug 21, 20 @ 1:43 pm
Until we decide to stop using the carrot and start using the stick, the folks disregarding common sense aren’t going to get it through their heads. Willful ignorance isn’t an excuse anymore. There needs to be an enforcement mechanism or it’s going to continue to get worse.
Comment by Fixer Friday, Aug 21, 20 @ 1:45 pm
It is both weird and amazing to be living through this in real time.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Friday, Aug 21, 20 @ 2:07 pm
“Cases connected to schools are also beginning to be reported.” This sentence concerns me.
Comment by pool boy Friday, Aug 21, 20 @ 2:11 pm
“Masks on Faces Keeps Places Open.”
Man, how can you miss that opportunity for a good rhyme? Jingle writers they are not.
Comment by Jibba Friday, Aug 21, 20 @ 2:15 pm
===This sentence concerns me.===
With both the Chicago and Joliet archdiocese starting school in person this week, it should be a huge concern.
What is even more concerning is how =proud= the diocese is of itself for making this decision.
The catholic church does not exactly have a great track record of disclosing what happens inside its doors, why would this be any different. I only hope local health departments will be able to properly publicly report the location of any outbreaks within these schools.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Friday, Aug 21, 20 @ 2:19 pm
This is one of those times where it is up to the citizenry. We need to wear masks and social distance. This is in our power.
Comment by Fly like an eagle Friday, Aug 21, 20 @ 2:23 pm
“With both the Chicago and Joliet archdiocese starting school in person this week, it should be a huge concern.
The 8-21-20 updated CDC guidelines recommend in-person teaching. A number of public school Districts are also offering in-person instructions. Have you reviewed the safety protocols that these catholic schools have implemented?
Comment by Donnie Elgin Friday, Aug 21, 20 @ 2:35 pm
Per Darren Bailey from this morning the cause of this is Governor Pritzker sending the mobile testing units to Clay County. I’m not making fun or joking. This was his reasoning to his people. Like the Governor did it on purpose.
Comment by Club J Friday, Aug 21, 20 @ 2:38 pm
Thanks Rich for warning folks re:comments. It’s difficult enough for those of us who are living one these counties just dealing with our own communities and neighbors - without the stigma of everyone thinking the entire population of these counties has a specific attitude, mindset etc. Indeed the cautious among us are generally outnumbered, but we keep trying, keep doing the right things, keep hoping that things will get better.
Comment by DownSouth Friday, Aug 21, 20 @ 2:41 pm
50 cases per 100k in Clay County is literally 7 cases. It does not take much of an outbreak for Clay to end up on the warning list. Other counties in that area could trigger a warning with anywhere from 4 to 11 cases.
Comment by The Ford Lawyer Friday, Aug 21, 20 @ 3:11 pm
For those 20 counties (and elected officials from Clay) I want to share this line from ‘The Terminator’.
“It can’t be reasoned with, it can’t be bargained with…it doesn’t feel pity of remorse or fear…and it absolutely will not stop. Ever. Until you are dead.”
Comment by Jocko Friday, Aug 21, 20 @ 3:38 pm
This is the tragedy of 2020. A virus that was controllable (see Viet Nam, for instance) ravages the US due to anti-science sentiment and lack of federal government leadership. People get sick. Some die. The average loss of years for those who have died is 11 years. Many more have long lasting symptoms, perhaps permanent disability. Even some of those who are infected but do not know it, will have significant organ damage, perhaps permanently. IT DID NOT HAVE TO BE THIS WAY. I pray the people of these counties, including Clay, get serious about this now.
Comment by Groundhog Day Friday, Aug 21, 20 @ 3:51 pm
Anonymous 4:12pm was me. Glad it is Friday, the typing fingers have about had it.
Comment by tea_and_honey Friday, Aug 21, 20 @ 4:13 pm