Monday was a day of great change, as several regions in Illinois were allowed to further weaken their coronavirus restrictions as the state changed its mitigation guidelines.
The Illinois Department of Health has announced that due to a change in staffing contracts, which is increasing hospital staff nationwide, regions 8, 9, 10 and 11 could move from the most restricted Level 3 to Level 2. In addition, Regions 1 and 6 may have met the criteria to move to Level 1, and Regions 3 and 5 may have met the criteria to return to Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan.
“Hospital leaders have highlighted the importance of staff in their sustained response to this pandemic and have stated that staffing contracts will be extremely valuable in their ability to meet the needs of their communities,” said Drs. Illinois Director Ngozi Ezike said in a statement. “We are delighted that most of our regions are moving with this change from Tier 3 mitigation, and it is crucial that we maintain this progress. With the proliferation of new variants of COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to follow the guidelines for public health that keep people safe – wear and mask and keep an eye on your distance. ”
Here’s a look at where each region stands:
Phase 4 mitigation in place:
Region 3 (Western Illinois) –
Hancock, Adams, Pike, Calhoun, Jersey, Greene, Scott, Brown, Schuyler, Cass, Morgan, Macoupin, Montgomery, Christian, Sangamon, Logan, Menard, Mason
Region 5 (Southern Illinois) –
Marion, Jefferson, Wayne, Edwards, Wabash, Perry, Jackson, Franklin, Williamson, Saline, Hamilton, White, Gallatin, Union, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Alexander, Massac, Pulaski
In this phase, gatherings of 50 or fewer people are allowed and, among other things, service within pubs and restaurants with capacity restrictions is allowed. Click for a full look at what is allowed in this phase here.
Level 1 softeners in place:
Region 1 (Northwest Illinois) –
Jo Davies, Stephenson, Winnebago, Boone, Dekalb, Carrol, Ogle, Whiteside, Lee, Crawford
Region 2 (West Central Illinois) –
Rock Island, Henry, Bureau, Putnam, Kendall, Grundy, Mercer, Knox, Henderson, Warren, McDonough, Fulton, Stark, Marshall, Peoria, Tazwell, McLean, Woodford, Livingston, Lasalle
Region 6 (East Central Illinois) –
Iroquois, Ford, Dewitt, Piatt, Champaign, Vermillion, Macon, Moultrie, Douglas, Edgar, Shelby, Coles, Cumberland, Clark, Fayette, Effingham, Jasper, Crawford, Clay, Richland, Lawrence
A move to this level means that indoor dining can resume at limited capacity, but only for food establishments. Click for a full look at what is allowed in this level here.
Level 2 softeners in place:
Region 8 –
Kane, Dupage
Region 9 –
McHenry, Lake
Region 10 –
Suburban cook
Region 11 –
Chicago
The move to this level means the reopening of cultural institutions such as museums as well as casinos. Click for a full look at what is allowed in this level here.
Level 3 softeners in place:
Region 4 (Southwest Illinois) –
Bond, Madison, St. Clair, Clinton, Washington, Monroe, Randolph
Region 7 –
Wil, Kankakee
This is the most restrictive level and it’s been all over Illinois since late last year. Click for a full look at what is allowed in this level here.
What is needed to move to each level or phase?
According to state guidelines, a region may transition to Tier 2 mitigation if it sees a test positivity rate of less than 12% for three consecutive days and more than 20% of the ICU and hospital beds are available, as well as declining COVID-19 hospitalizations seven of the previous ten days.
To go to Level 1, regions need:
- A test positivity rate of less than 8 percent for three consecutive days, measured by the 7-day moving average; AND
- More than or equal to 20 percent available ICU and medical / surgical hospital beds for three consecutive days, on a running average of three days; AND
- No continuous increase in the number of people in hospital with COVID-19 for seven out of ten days, on an average of 7 days.
However, to return to phase 4, regions must:
- A test positivity rate of less than or equal to 6.5 percent for three consecutive days, measured by the 7-day rolling average; AND
- More than or equal to 20 percent available ICU and medical / surgical hospital beds for three consecutive days, on a running average of three days; AND
- No continuous increase in the number of people in hospital with COVID-19 for seven out of ten days, on an average of 7 days.