Pope County Elevated to Orange Warning Level Regarding Covid-19 Risk Metrics; All 7 Counties Now Orange

Southern Seven Health Department (S7HD) reports the Illinois Department of Public Health announced on August 27th that Pope County has once again been elevated to an Orange Warning Level status on the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) risk metrics. Alexander, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pulaski, and Union Counties will remain at the Orange Warning Level.

• Alexander County had 561 potential new cases (based on 34 positive cases) per 100,000 reported. The test positivity percentage for the county was 13.7% out of 168 tests. ICU availability was 6.2%

• Hardin County had 665 potential new cases (based on 26 positive cases) per 100,000 reported. The test positivity percentage for the county was 11.8% out of 220 tests. ICU availability was 6.2%

• Johnson County had 779 potential new cases (based on 97 positive cases) per 100,000 reported. The test positivity percentage for the county was 9.5% out of 985 tests. ICU availability was 6.2%.

• Massac County had 440 potential new cases (based on 62 positive cases) per 100,000 reported. The test positivity percentage for the county was 13.4% out of 388 tests. ICU availability was 6.2%

• Pope County had 404 potential new cases (based on 17 positive cases) per 100,000 reported. The test positivity percentage for the county was 11.6% out of 138 tests. ICU availability was 6.2%

• Pulaski County had 421 potential new cases (based on 23 positive cases) per 100,000 reported. The test positivity percentage for the county was 9.0% out of 210 tests. ICU availability was 6.2%

• Union County had 333 potential new cases (based on 56 positive cases) per 100,000 reported. The test positivity percentage for the county was 4.4% out of 1,417 tests. ICU availability was 6.2%

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.

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.

“Hospitalizations for COVID-19 are continuing to rise in the Southern 7 region as are the numbers of positive COVID-19 test results,” said Nathan Ryder, Outreach Coordinator for Southern Seven’s Contact Tracing Team. “We’re now seeing our schools impacted by the high rates of transmission throughout the community with an increase in reported absences and confirmed cases of COVID in school-aged children that have occurred outside the school setting.”

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 our office at: (618) 634-2297