Regions 5, 7 and 8 of Illinois will be moving back to tier 2 mitigations beginning Nov. 11 due to an increased rolling positivity rate.

These regions are seeing a test positivity rate that remains above 8 percent and continues to rise after more than 14-days under Tier 1 mitigations, which exceeds the threshold set for establishing additional mitigation measures under the state’s Restore Illinois Resurgence Plan, according to a release from the Office of the Governor.

 As of today, Region 5 is seeing an average positivity rate of 11.5%, with more than twice as many COVID-19 patients entering a hospital each day compared to the summer peak in late August, the release said. 

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These mitigations will reduce the maximum gathering number both indoors and outdoors from 25 down to 10, it will reduce the maximum party size allowed at bars and restaurants from 10 to six and organized recreational activities will be limited to 25 guests or 25 percent of overall room capacity both indoors and outdoors with a group limit of 10 individuals. 

“Mitigations are only effective if they are followed,” Gov. JB Pritzker said. “The end goal of mitigating the damage the virus is doing to people’s lives is this: keep as much of our economy and our schools as open as possible in a safe manner, and when risk rates in the community surge up, take meaningful action to bring things back down in order to protect ourselves and the people we love.”

 These restrictions will not apply to schools, according to the release.

“We continue to see COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths increase,” Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said.  “Science tells us that when you are in close contact with someone, there is an increased risk for virus transmission. We must reduce the opportunities for the virus to spread.  Only when the virus can no longer sustainably spread can we end this pandemic. It will take all of us working together, so please, be part of the solution and not the problem and help us reduce the risk of spread.”

Every region in Illinois is currently under stricter mitigations due to a resurgence of the virus.

“In the coming days, IDPH will continue to track the positivity rate in Regions 5, 7, and 8 to determine if mitigations can be relaxed, if additional mitigations are required, or if current mitigation should remain in place. IDPH has been working closely with local health departments in the three regions to provide education to the public and offer information to businesses and organizations on safe ways to reopen,” The release said.

The Daily Egyptian News Desk can be reached at [email protected] 

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