Bureau Co. health region sees increase in positivity rate; still on track to move to Phase 3

The percentage of positive coronavirus tests jumped from 6% to 9% Tuesday to Wednesday in the North Central health region.

Roughly 9% of tests taken in the region that includes La Salle, Bureau, Lee, Whiteside and DeKalb counties, among others, are coming back with coronavirus confirmations, according to data shared Saturday reporting up to Wednesday.

Since May 4, when the region recorded its lowest percentage at 5%, the region has fluctuated as high as 10%. The region must stay below 20% and not see more than a 10% increase over any 14-day period. It has met that criteria and the region is on its way to move to phase 3 of Gov. JB Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan.

Phase 3 would allow for retail, barbershops and salons to reopen under guidelines. Part of those guidelines advise no gatherings of 10 or more people.

The region also continues to see a 48.9% decrease in hospital admissions since May 1. It cannot have an overall increase in hospital admissions to move to the next phase.

Hospital beds, ICU beds and ventilator availability all meet criteria to move into the next phase.

In order to move to Phase 4, the region will have to stay at or under a 20% positivity rate and increase no more than 10% over a 14-day period; have no overall increase in hospital admissions for COVID-19-like illness for 28 days; maintain an available surge capacity of at least 14% of ICU beds, medical and surgical beds, and ventilators; have testing available in the region regardless of symptoms or risk factors; and be able to trace and monitor within 24 hours of diagnosis for more than 90% of cases in the region.

Phase 4 would allow for gatherings of up to 50 people, for restaurants and bars to reopen, for schools and child care facilities to reopen.