Region 9 Sees ICU Bed Availability Drop

Grayslake IL

23 November, 2020

3:57 PM

Description

MCHENRY AND LAKE COUNTIES, IL — Region 9 has seen a steady decrease in its coronavirus positivity rate, which is currently at 13.9 percent. That's a sharp decline from where the region, which includes Lake and McHenry counties, has been in recent weeks. On Nov. 13, Region 9 saw its highest positivity rate to date, with 17.1 percent of residents in the county who were tested for the coronavirus testing positive. Sign up for your local Patch newsletter and breaking news updates for the latest news in your town. Meanwhile, Tier 3 mitigations are in place across the state. Region 9 could see a loosening of restrictions if the region can sustain three days with a test positivity rate below 12 percent and if intensive care unit and medical/surgical bed availability remains above 20 percent for three consecutive days, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. In addition, the region will need to see a decline in the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals for seven of the last 10 days. Here is where Region 9 stands as of Monday: Positivity rate: 13.9 percent; 0 days below IDPH's requirement of 12 percent or lower for three consecutive days to loosen restrictionsMedical/surgical bed capacity: 21.2 percent; medical and surgical bed capacity in the region has seen one day over the 20 percent threshold. On Thursday, medical/surgical bed availability dipped under 20 percent for the first time ever when just 19 percent of the region's beds were available. ICU bed availability: 29.2 percent; ICU bed availability has not yet dipped below 20 percent and is currently within IDPH guidelines. Number of patients in hospitals: The number of patients in Lake and McHenry County hospitals with COVID-like illnesses has steadily been increasing for the past month. On Nov. 17, the region saw it's highest ever number of patients, 370, in hospitals for the virus. Since then, that number has been dropping. According to the latest public health data, there have been three days of decreases in new patient admissions. Five out of the past 10 days have seen increases in new patients. Check back to Crystal Lake-Cary Patch and Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Patch for the latest news on COVID-19 in McHenry County. Sign up for the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Patch and Crystal Lake-Cary Patch newsletters and breaking news alerts. And follow us on the Crystal Lake-Cary and Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Patch Facebook pages. For all regions, additional mitigation measures took effect Friday. Here is a look at guidance for the following settings and industries under Tier 3 mitigations: Retail: Operate at no more than 25 percent capacity. Encourage delivery or curbside pick-up options whenever possible.Personal care services: Operate at lesser of 25 clients or 25 percent capacity. Suspend services where a face covering can't be worn (facials, beard trims).Health and fitness centers: No indoor group classes. Operate at no more than 25 percent capacity. Locker room areas should be closed.Hotels: Limited to registered guests only. Fitness centers closed or operating on a reservation model. Event and meeting spaces closed.Manufacturing: Stagger and space shifts. Only manufacturing staff and key personnel allowed in facilities. Non-production employees must work remotely.Bars and restaurants: No indoor service. All bar and restaurant patrons should be seated at tables outside.Meetings and social events: Limit in-home gatherings to household members. No party buses. Meeting rooms, banquet centers, private party rooms, private clubs and country clubs may not host gatherings.Offices: All employees who can work remotely should work remotely.Organized group recreational activities: Pause all indoor group sports and recreational activities (youth and adults). Outdoor sports and recreation is allowed.Indoor recreation, theater, cultural institutions: Gaming and casinos close. Theaters, performing arts centers, indoor museums and amusement centers close. Outdoor group activities limited to 10 people or fewer, guests must wear face coverings at all times. Grocery stores across the state will remain open with 25 percent capacity, according to the mitigations. Child care facilities may continue to operate subject to guidelines from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. School districts and officials should continue to follow the extensive guidance released by the Illinois State Board of Education in August to make decisions related to in-person and remote learning at the local level. To prevent the further spread of COVID-19, Illinois residents are urged to stay home as much as possible and celebrate upcoming holidays with members of their own household. Illinoisans over the age of two years are required to wear a face covering when out in public and social distancing is not easily achievable. What Are The Rules Under Tier 2? Here is a look at rules in place for specific industries: Bars All bars close at 11pm and may reopen no earlier than 6am the following dayNo indoor serviceAll bar patrons should be seated at tables outsideNo ordering, seating, or congregating at bar (bar stools should be removed)Tables should be 6 feet apartNo standing or congregating indoors or outdoors while waiting for a table or exitingNo dancing or standing indoorsReservations required for each partyNo seating of multiple parties at one tableNo tables exceeding 6 people Restaurants All restaurants close at 11pm and may reopen no earlier than 6am the following dayNo indoor dining or bar serviceTables should be 6 feet apartNo standing or congregating indoors or outdoors while waiting for a table or exitingReservations required for each partyNo seating of multiple parties at one tableNo tables exceeding 6 people Meetings, social events and gathering, including weddings, funerals, potlucks, etc. Limit to 10 guests in both indoor and outdoor settingsApplicable to professional, cultural and social group gatheringsNot applicable to students participating in-person classroom learning, sports or polling placesThis does not reduce the overall facility capacity dictated by general business guidance such as office, retail, etc.No party busesGaming and Casinos close at 11:00pm, are limited to 25 percent capacity, and follow mitigations for bars and restaurants, if applicable Organized group recreational activities, including sports but excluding fitness centers Limit to lesser of 25 guests or 25% of overall room capacity both indoors & outdoors Groups limited to 10 or fewer peopleAll Sports Guidance effective August 15, 2020, remains in effectOutdoor Activities (not included in the above exposure settings) continue per current DCEO guidance