24 Illinois Counties at Warning Level for Coronavirus Disease

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Published on September 18 2020 1:53 pm
Last Updated on September 18 2020 1:53 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

The Illinois Department of Public Health Friday reported 24 counties in the state are considered to be at a warning level for novel coronavirus disease.

Effingham County is again at a warning level, as are Coles, Cumberland, Jasper, Marion, and Shelby counties.

A county enters a warning level when two or more COVID-19 risk indicators that measure the amount of COVID-19 increase.

Here are the metrics used to determine when a county is at a warning level:

• 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 performed.  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.