Southern Seven Health Department (S7HD) reports the Illinois Department of Public Health announced on August 13th that Alexander and Hardin County will move into an Orange Warning Level on the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) risk metrics. Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, and Union Counties were moved to the Orange Warning Level and remain there.
The amount of New Cases Per 100,000 people, Test Positivity Percentage metrics, and falling ICU bed availability at area hospitals are causing the elevated risk levels. According to Illinois Department of Public Health, an orange designation indicates warning signs of increased COVID-19 risk in the community. Residents are asked to remain vigilant to slow spread of the virus.
A warning for New Case Rate indicates the rate is greater than 50 cases per 100,000 people. A warning for Test Positivity indicates that the percentage was above 8% from the previous 7 day period. A warning for ICU Availability shows the number of ICU beds has dropped below a 20% availability threshold.
New Cases per 100,000 People Rate is a unit of measure calculated as a rate to compare the number of cases in large and small counties. The rate is calculated by dividing the county case count for 7 days by county population x 100,000. This describes the potential number of people who are currently ill and may be infectious in the county.
Alexander County had 314 potential new cases (based on 19 positive cases) per 100,000 reported. The test positivity percentage for the county was 11.9% out of 135 tests. ICU availability was 13.5%
Hardin County had 716 potential new cases (based on 28 positive cases) per 100,000 reported. The test positivity percentage for the county was 12.1% out of 257 tests. ICU availability was 13.5%
Johnson County had 425 potential new cases (based on 53 positive cases) per 100,000 reported. The test positivity percentage for the county was 4.9% out of 1122 tests. ICU availability was 13.5%
Massac County had 163 potential new cases (based on 23 positive cases) per 100,000 reported. The test positivity percentage for the county was 6.7% out of 329 tests. ICU availability was 13.5%
Pope County had 380 potential new cases (based on 16 positive cases) per 100,000 reported. The test positivity percentage for the county was 11.8% out of 102 tests. ICU availability was 13.5%
Pulaski County had 348 potential new cases (based on 19 positive cases) per 100,000 reported. The test positivity percentage for the county was 8.2% out of 207 tests. ICU availability was 13.5%
Union County had 398 potential new cases (based on 67 positive cases) per 100,000 reported. The test positivity percentage for the county was 4.9% out of 1,452 tests. ICU availability was 13.5%
Eight different indicators are used to determine a county’s designation. A county is considered at the orange ‘Warning’ level when at least two of the main indicators are going in the wrong direction. Individuals, families, and community groups should use this information to help inform their choices about personal and family gatherings, as well as what activities they choose to do. To view the IDPH county-level risk map, visit the County Level Covid-19 Risk Metrics website.
“Now all seven of our counties are at an Orange Warning Level for the rapidly spreading virus,” said Nathan Ryder, Outreach Coordinator for Southern Seven’s Contact Tracing Team. “The rising number of cases in each county are contributing to the warning in addition to a low-availability of beds in our regional Intensive Care Units for people who are battling severe illness.”
S7HD has been urging southern Illinoisans to get vaccinated against COVID-19, especially with the rapid spread of the Delta variant impacting neighboring states.
The COVID vaccines are proving to be effective in preventing people from becoming severely ill or requiring hospitalization. It’s also recommended to continue following the COVID-19 mitigation procedures we’re all familiar with to help prevent the spread of COVID-19: wear a mask, wash your hands frequently, and keep your distance especially in crowded situations or indoor environments.
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced last month that southern Illinois’ Region 5, where all seven of our counties are located, moved to Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois COVID-19 mitigation plan. This move fully reopened businesses across the state without restrictions. More information on Illinois’ Phase 5 Reopening Plans can be found here: http://dph.illinois.gov/restore
S7HD continues to work with businesses and many other facets of the community to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19. For the latest information on COVID-19 cases in the region or to find out how to get vaccinated against COVID-19, please visit: https://www.southern7.org OR call their office at: (618) 634-2297
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