Illinois COVID update today: IL reports 2,312 new coronavirus cases, 16 deaths; Cook County could enter Phase 4 on Tuesday

CHICAGO (WLS) – Illinois health officials reported 2,312 new cases of COVID-19 and 16 deaths on Monday as restrictions were lifted in Will and Kankakee counties in the southern suburbs.

The total number of cases in Illinois now stands at 1,128,613, with a total of 19,259 deaths, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the past 24 hours, labs reported 61,263 samples for a total of 16,100,555.

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As of Sunday evening, 2,387 patients in Illinois were reportedly hospitalized with COVID-19. Of these, 515 patients were in intensive care and 278 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.

The positivity of the seven-day statewide preliminary test from Jan.25 to 31 is 4.9%.

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The test’s positivity rate is a measure the state began providing in late October. It is calculated using the total number of positive tests out of the total number of tests. It is the metric used by state health officials to make decisions about mitigations.
A total of 1,333,475 doses of vaccine were delivered to providers in Illinois, including Chicago, with an additional 496,100 doses allocated to federal partners for long-term care facilities, bringing the total number administered. in Illinois at 1,829,575.

The IDPH reports that a total of 996,410 doses of vaccine were administered, of which 156,872 in long-term facilities. The seven-day moving average of vaccines administered is 43,378.

The IDPH says vaccine distribution figures are reported in real time and vaccine delivery figures are late for up to 72 hours.

Suburban Cook County could see restrictions relaxed

Suburban Cook County is on track to ease COVID restrictions as early as Tuesday.

Will and Kankakee counties entered Phase 4 on Monday, which means restrictions on restaurants, bars and other businesses are eased.

The guidelines for phase 4 mean that indoor meals and drinks are now permitted for groups of up to 10 people. All tables should be 6 feet apart, but barriers can be installed to help separate the seats safely. Museums are capped at 25% of their capacity. In addition, seated theaters, cinemas and performing arts centers can accommodate up to 50 clients.

Jeff Bailey, the manager of Town and Country Lanes in Joliet, said he was eager to bring more customers inside, which will also boost sales.

“We are very excited about the future and optimistic about how things are going in the state,” Bailey said, adding that the family business has strict safety guidelines.

The Will County Health Department wants to remind people that there is still a lot of work to be done.

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“It’s a good step,” said Steve Brandy, of the Will County Department of Health. “Everyone was tired of hearing levels 1, 2, 3, but let’s make sure we don’t have to hear it again.”

Seven of the state’s 11 regions are now in relaxed phase four. If current numbers hold, suburban Cook County could enter that phase on Tuesday.

Deaths reported on Monday include:
-Christian county: 1 man from the 70s
-Cook County: 1 man 40 years old, 2 men 50 years old, 2 men 60 years old, 1 woman 70 years old, 1 man 70 years old, 1 woman 80 years old, 2 men 80 years old, 3 men 90 years old
-Comté de Bourgogne: 1 woman from the 70s
– Putnam County: 1 man from the 1960s