The Illinois Department of Public Health announced today that our area, Suburban Cook County (Region 10), will move from Tier 2 to Tier 1 resurgence mitigations, effective immediately. Public health officials are continuing to carefully monitor hospital needs and test positivity.
Under Tier 1 mitigation, restaurants may resume indoor dining at the lesser of 25 guests or 25% capacity per room. Reservations are required and indoor food service is limited to 2-hour maximum duration and maximum 4 persons per party. Dining only with members of the same household is recommended. The full Tier 1 requirements can be accessed on the IDPH website.
In order to move to Phase 4, a region must meet the following metrics:
1. A test positivity rate less than or equal to 6.5 percent for three consecutive days, as measured by the 7-day rolling average; AND
2. Greater than or equal to 20 percent available staffed ICU hospital beds for three consecutive days, on a 7-day rolling average; AND
3. No sustained increase in the number of people in the hospital with COVID-19, based on a 7-day average, for seven out of the last 10 days.
Vaccinations
On Friday, Governor Pritzker announced the state will move into the early stages of Phase 1B of the COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Plan beginning on Monday, January 25.
Phase 1B will expand vaccines to non-health care frontline essential workers and residents aged 65 and over. The frontline essential workers designation includes many residents who carry a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure because of their work duties, often because they are unable to work from home, and/or they must work closely to others without being able to socially distance. This include first responders, education, food and agriculture, manufacturing, corrections workers and inmates, USPS workers, public transit workers, grocery store workers and staff at shelters and day cares. It was noted by State and County government that while the vaccination program is underway, at this time, demand for the vaccine far outpaces the supply. As such, officials are encouraging patience through the process and noted that an appointment is required to receive the vaccine. The Illinois Department of Public Health has established a website dedicated to the vaccine administration program.
The Cook County Department of Public Health has invited residents of suburban Cook County and healthcare or essential workers who work in Cook County to register for the vaccine, or call the Cook County Community Vaccination Program Hotline at 1-833-308-1988. The information collected will be used to assist in planning as additional vaccine is distributed. By providing information, individuals will be added to a list to receive updates on COVID-19 vaccine availability including the timing and scheduling an appointment.
For additional information, please see the following links: