Four Illinois counties have reached a “warning level” for coronavirus, the Illinois Department of Public Health said Friday.
Adams, LaSalle, Peoria and Randolph counties were named by the department for achieving “two or more COVID-19 risk indicators.”
According to IDPH, the troubling numbers coming out of the four counties are largely due to “outbreaks associated with business and risky behavior.”
The department cited the following activities to trigger the warning:
Adams County: Larger social events, exposure to health care, trips to hot spots, including Missouri and Iowa neighbors, places of worship, and youth sports.
LaSalle County: large family and social gatherings, increased cases among people under the age of 29, younger people who visit bars and attend larger social events, and inconsistencies with masking requirements.
Peoria County: increases in cases among people under the age of 29, large gatherings, including July 4 parties, and people traveling to Florida, Iowa, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Randolph County: congregated environments, numerous bars that do not comply with the distancing and masking, a great party with more than 200 people, and between homes.
In late June, state health officials released a color-coded county map that provides insight into how each county is doing based on “indicators,” such as the percentage of positive cases, the number of tests, and other metrics. used by the state.
Counties that meet the stated targets are indicated in blue, while counties that do not meet the targets are shown in orange.
Among the metrics evaluated to determine if a county has reached a “warning level” are:
• New cases per 100,000 people. If there are 50 or more new cases for every 100,000 people in the county, this generates a warning.
• Number of deaths. This metric indicates a warning when the number of deaths increases more than 20% for two consecutive weeks.
• Weekly positivity test. This metric indicates a warning when the 7-day test positivity rate rises above 8%.
• UCI availability. If there are less than 20% of the intensive care units available in the region, this generates a warning.
• Weekly emergency visits. This metric indicates a warning when the weekly percentage of emergency department visits for COVID-19-like illness increases 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 carried out. This metric is used to provide context and indicate if further testing is needed in the county.
• Bunches This metric analyzes the percentage of COVID-19 cases associated with clusters or outbreaks and is used to understand the large increase in cases.
According to IDPH, when a county reaches a warning level, “it is intended to be used locally to help local leaders, businesses, local health departments, and the public make informed decisions about personal and family reunions. , as well as the activities they carry out.
Earlier this week, Gov. JB Pritzker said one of Illinois’ 11 health care regions was “dangerously close” to seeing more restrictions in place to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
One of the counties now at a “warning level” is included in that region.
Governor JB Pritzker announced Wednesday that Illinois will divide from four into 11 separate regions to better tailor coronavirus mitigation efforts to each area across the state.
Region 4, the Metro East region that borders St. Louis, Missouri, was the area in question, Pritzker said. That region includes Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair and Washington counties.
“Yesterday in the Metro East region, I sounded the alarm over the 7.1-day average of seven consecutive days’ positivity rate compared to the state’s overall 3.1%,” Pritzker said at a news conference. He added that the other 10 regions of the state have a positivity rate below 5%.
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