New Coronavirus Restrictions For Metro East As IL Cases Surge

ILLINOIS — As coronavirus cases surge across the state, the Illinois Department of Public Health set forth over the weekend new restrictions on Region 4, which includes seven downstate counties near the St. Louis Metro East. Following that, state health officials on Tuesday announced 1,740 new cases of the coronavirus and 27 additional deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus, bringing the statewide totals to 209,594 confirmed infections and 7,782 known deaths. Another 1,332 probable cases and 211 probable deaths are not included in the official totals.

The latest deaths include:

• Cook County: 1 female 40s, 1 male 40s, 1 male 50s, 1 female 60s, 1 male 60s, 1 female 70s, 1 male 80s, 1 unknown 80s, 2 males 90s
• DuPage County: 1 female 70s
• Jefferson County: 1 female 80s, 1 unknown 90s
• Kane County: 1 male 80s
• Kankakee County: 1 male 80s
• Lake County: 1 male 60s, 1 male 80s
• LaSalle County: 1 female 70s
• Madison County: 1 male 80s
• Morgan County: 1male 90s
• Perry County: 1 male 80s
• Rock Island County: 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s, 1 male 80s
• St. Clair County: 1 male 60s
• Will County: 1 female 90s, 1 male 100+

As of Sunday night, 1,510 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 across the state. Of those, 335 were in intensive care and 128 were on ventilators, according to the state health department.

The statewide positive-test rate has climbed to 4.3 percent, up two-tenths of a percentage point from last week and nearly 2 percentage points from last month. In the past 24 hours, labs in Illinois have processed 34,175 coronavirus tests, for a total of more than 3.4 million since the pandemic began. According to Johns Hopkins University, a positivity rate of less than 5 percent is a good measure of whether enough tests are being conducted, and state officials have said a rate higher than 8 percent will trigger new restrictions in a given region.

State officials said Friday that 14 Illinois counties were at a "warning level" for a surge of cases, including Bureau, Cass, Clinton, Franklin, Greene, Grundy, Hancock, Jefferson, Kane, LaSalle, Moultrie, Perry, Union and Will. Over the weekend, seven counties crossed the 8 percent threshold to trigger new restrictions on bars, restaurants and other businesses.

According to public health offficials, Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolf, St. Clair and Washington Counties all saw positivity rates rise above 8 percent for three consecutive days.

Beginning Tuesday, bars, restaurants and casinos in Region 4 will close at 11 p.m., patrons will no longer be allowed to order, sit or congregate at the bar (bar stools should be removed, officials said), and reservations will be required for all parties to ensure capacity limits are followed. Meetings and social gatherings will be limited to 25 people or 25 percent of venue capacity, reception halls will be closed, and party busses will be outlawed.

If the positivity rate drops over the next two weeks, Region 4 could see the new restrictions lifted. If it remains above 8 percent, however, more stringent restricitions will be imposed, and bars and restaurants could be shuttered altogether, according to the state.

See how your region is doing here.

The governor said public health decisions will be driven by data, not politics.

"Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I have made it clear that neither arbitrary dates on a calendar nor political pressure will dictate Illinois' efforts to protect our people. If the data shows we need to go backwards in our reopening, I won't hesitate to tighten restrictions to protect our collective health," Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker in a statement. "Region 4 of our statewide 11 reopening regions — the Metro East — has now surpassed an 8 percent seven-day rolling average positivity rate — a trend that I have made clear would trigger stricter mitigations when this plan was announced in July. Working with local officials in the Metro East region and across the border in St. Louis, we are implementing stricter mitigations that account for the unique factors in this region. Dr. Ezike and I are imploring local leaders and residents alike: if you haven't been taking this seriously yet, now is the time to start."

Officials said the state has been working closely with local health departments in the Metro East to help businesses reopen safely. The state opened a community-based testing site at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center in East St. Louis and also approved $300 million in grants to local health departments and community-based organizations for contact tracing and education. But cases are still rising in the region.

The state's top doctor said she hopes the new restrictions will head off a new wave of hospitalizations and deaths in Region 4.

"As we warned when we began reopening Illinois, we are seeing an increase in cases, emergency department visits, and other indicators that the virus is circulating more widely in the community," said public health director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. "Region 4 is the first of the 11 regions to reach resurgence criteria, but we hope it will be the last. By implementing additional mitigations, such as decreased indoor capacities and limiting hours, we hope to reduce the spread of the virus in the Metro East, and also help prevent an increase in cases, hospitalizations, and death in other regions of the state."

The United States now has more than 5.4 million confirmed coronavirus infections, and at least 171,120 Americans have died from COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Based on the latest predictions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 180,000 to 200,000 Americans could be dead from the disease by Sept. 5.

Globally, more than 21.9 million people have been infected and 775,904 are known to have died.

Illinois Coronavirus Helpline:

Illinois officials say a state helpline has been set up to provide emotional support and quick answers to questions about the coronavirus pandemic. Illinoisans can test "TALK" to 55-2020 (or "HABLAR" for Spanish), and within 24 hours they will receive a call from a counselor. Residents can also text keywords such as "UNEMPLOYMENT," "FOOD" or "SHELTER," to the same number to receive additional information about those topics.

Here's what's happening with the coronavirus in Illinois:

Online Map Will Help Illinois Travelers Avoid COVID-19 Hotspots

Health officials say not to travel when you're sick, and remember to wear a mask, keep 6 feet away from others and wash your hands often.

Sovereign Faces Criticism For Staying Open Amid The Pandemic

Even though the eatery temporarily shut down after employees tested positive, a diner said they are putting "profits over people."

La Grange Sees Biggest Virus Case Hike In Weeks

The number of coronavirus-related deaths in La Grange has stayed the same for weeks, figures show.

St. Andrew Reopens With Full In-Person Learning Amid Pandemic

Students are required to follow strict safety guidelines including wearing masks throughout the day and sanitizing their hands.

Most Schools Going Virtual In Chicago Area, With Some Exceptions

Only a quarter of students nationwide will attend daily in-person school, a survey shows. Illinois districts are split.

IDPH Approves IHSA Modified Sports Plan

The Illinois High School Association Board of Directors voted in favor of the schedule for the 2020-2021 sports season on July 29.

Village Hall Reopens After Coronavirus Exposure In Buffalo Grove

The decision to "protect the public" was made last Friday and included the facility being commercially cleaned and disinfected.

'A Make-Or-Break Moment For IL, Chicago': Gov. Urges Compliance

Gov. J.B. Pritzker called on residents and businesses to "take responsibility" to stave off a sustained spike in new coronavirus cases.

Rare Coronavirus Syndrome In Kids: IL Among Hardest-Hit States

At least 24 children in Illinois have been diagnosed with a rare inflammatory syndrome linked to coronavirus.

'Trump 2020' Mask At Meeting Sparks Policy Review Discussions

Oswego D308 Board of Education member Brent Lightfoot wore the mask to a meeting, leading to objections, concerns from community members.

New Lenox Cancels Remainder Of Large Summer Events

The rest of the Fridays After Five and Cruise the Commons, as well as Ladies Night Out and Octoberfest have been canceled.

LTHS Moving To Remote Learning

Full remote learning will begin at LTHS on Aug. 20, after each group of students who chose hybrid learning attends one day in-person.

Coronavirus by the numbers:

Illinois:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 209,594
• Deaths: 7,782
• People tested: 3,439,272
• Recovered: Illinois does not provide exact numbers of recovered cases, but says the recovery rate is 95 percent.

Nationwide:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 5,462,976
• Deaths: 171,120
• People tested: 68,056,780
• Recovered: 1,865,580

Global:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 21,966,115
• Deaths: 775,904
• People tested: No data available
• Recovered: 13,933,786

Sources: Johns Hopkins University and IDPH

Tips from the CDC on dealing with coronavirus:

While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention generally recommends taking these actions to prevent the spread of viruses:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

What to do if you're sick:

Call head if you're planning to visit your doctor:

• If you have a medical appointment, call the health care provider and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the health care provider's office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed.

Stay home unless you must see a doctor:

• Stay home: People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness. You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care.
• Avoid public areas: Do not go to work, school, or public areas.
• Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing or taxis.

Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home:

• Stay away from others: As much as possible, you should stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available.
• Limit contact with pets and animals: You should restrict contact with pets and other animals while you are sick with COVID-19, just as you would around other people. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus.
• When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick. If you are sick with COVID-19, avoid contact with your pet, including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked and sharing food. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with pets and wear a face mask. See COVID-19 and Animals for more information.

Avoid sharing personal household items:

• Do not share: You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home.
• Wash thoroughly after use: After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.

Masks:

• CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.
• Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
• The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.
• Face mask instructions — sew- and no-sew masks

To donate personal protective equipment (PPE), email [email protected]. For health questions about COVID-19, call the state coronavirus hotline at 800-889-3931 or email [email protected].