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S7HD COVID-19 Risk Levels Update (All S7 Counties Remain at Orange Warning Levels)

 

Southern Seven Health Department (S7HD) reports the Illinois Department of Public Health announced on January 28th that all S7 counties remain at the Orange Warning Level status on the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) risk metrics. Currently every county in the state remains at the Orange Warning Level due to the rapid spread of COVID-19. The amount of New Cases Per 100,000 people, Test Positivity Percentage metrics, and reduced 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 2228 potential new cases (based on 135 positive cases) per 100,000 reported. The test positivity percentage for the county was 25.6% out of 489 tests.  ICU availability was 6.2%

Hardin County had 1355 potential new cases (based on 53 positive cases) per 100,000 reported. The test positivity percentage for the county was 15.8% out of 385 tests.  ICU availability was 6.2%

Johnson County had 3027 potential new cases (based on 377 positive cases) per 100,000 reported. The test positivity percentage for the county was 11.6% out of 3586 tests.  ICU availability was 6.2%

Massac County had 2550 potential new cases (based on 359 positive cases) per 100,000 reported. The test positivity percentage for the county was 31.8% out of 1212 tests.  ICU availability was 6.2%

Pope County had 1140 potential new cases (based on 48 positive cases) per 100,000 reported. The test positivity percentage for the county was 21.1% out of 256 tests.  ICU availability was 6.2%

Pulaski County had 2947 potential new cases (based on 161 positive cases) per 100,000 reported. The test positivity percentage for the county was 24.2% out of 690 tests.  ICU availability was 6.2%

Union County had 2565 potential new cases (based on 432 positive cases) per 100,000 reported. The test positivity percentage for the county was 15.4% out of 3107 tests.  ICU availability was 6.2%

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.

“We’ve seen a tiny, two-percentage point improvement in the number of ICU beds available in our region this week,” said Nathan Ryder, COVID-19 Community Outreach Coordinator for S7HD. “Unfortunately five of our counties have seen their number of positive COVID-19 cases increase this past week and six out of the seven counties have seen their test positivity rate increase as well.”

Massac County currently has the third highest positivity rate in the state behind Brown County (32.8% out of 2368 positive tests) and McHenry County (35.6% out of 35,797 positive tests) in the northwest Chicago suburbs.

S7HD has been urging southern Illinoisans to get vaccinated or boosted against COVID-19. The COVID vaccines and boosters 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. Children ages 5-11 are now able to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Booster shots for all three vaccines are also available for all adults.

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

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