March 29, 2024
Coronavirus

Illinois officially hits Phase 5, a full reopening, Friday; state reaches 44.57% fully vaccinated

State’s positivity rate remains at a pandemic-low 1.0%

One day before Illinois moves to Phase 5 in reopening the entire state, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported 366 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 and 18 additional deaths Thursday, and a total of 11,821,373 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered.

For Wednesday, the state reported administering 62,268 shots.

Friday, the state will eliminate all capacity limits on businesses, large-scale events, conventions, amusement parks, and all other venues. Mask requirements for vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals continue to align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

“A strong economy requires that people not only feel safe, but truly be safe, as they go about their lives as workers, neighbors, consumers, and friends – and thanks to the lifesaving power of vaccinations, that day is finally here for Illinois,” Gov. JB Pritzker said in a news release. “I invite all Illinoisans to feel the hope and joy of this moment while also recognizing that this pandemic is still very present for the world at large – not to mention those here at home who have not been or cannot be vaccinated. As we take this next step forward, let’s do so with a renewed commitment to empathy, to community, and to making each day together count. You did it, Illinois.”

The seven-day rolling average of Illinois’ positivity rate stayed flat at a pandemic-low 1.0%. The state received the results of 42,403 COVID-19 tests in the 24 hours leading up to Thursday afternoon.

Illinois has seen 1,386,628 total cases of the virus, and 23,014 people have died. The state has conducted a total of 25,033,919 tests since the start of the pandemic.

As of late Wednesday, Illinois had 764 COVID-19 patients in the hospital. Of those, 209 were in intensive care units, and 103 were on ventilators.

Vaccine update: As of Thursday, IDPH reported a total of 13,924,415 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been distributed statewide, with 11,821,373 vaccines administered.

As of Thursday, 5,678,116 Illinoisans have been fully vaccinated, or 44.57% of the population. Illinois has a population of 12,741,080 people.

Among Illinois residents 12 and older:

Fully Vaccinated: 5,568,285 (51.19%)

At Least 1 Dose: 6,560,539 (60.32%)

Among Illinois residents 18 and older:

Fully Vaccinated: 5,396,176 (54.6%)

At Least 1 Dose: 6,224,238 (62.97%)

Among Illinois residents 65 and older:

Fully Vaccinated: 1,523,107 (76.42%)

At Least 1 Dose: 1,642,648 (82.42%)

There can be as much as a 72-hour delay in reporting from healthcare providers on vaccines administered.

In northern Illinois, here is the percentage of the population fully vaccinated by county:

Chicago: 44.97%

Suburban Cook: 48.02%

Lake: 44.68%

McHenry: 43.30%

DuPage: 52.12%

Kane: 42.92%

Will: 43.23%

Kendall: 44.54%

La Salle: 38.52%

Grundy: 37.80%

DeKalb: 38.36%

Ogle: 38.78%

Lee: 42.63%

Whiteside: 38.60%

Bureau: 37.66%

Regional update: All 11 regions in the state are in the bridge phase, the final phase before a full reopening of the state’s businesses. The state are set to enter Phase 5 on Friday.

Regional data from the IDPH remains on a three-day lag.

The North Suburban (McHenry and Lake counties) region’s positivity rate stayed flat at 1.3%. Currently, 30% of ICU beds are available.

Within this region, McHenry County’s seven-day positivity rate average decreased to 2.2%. Lake County, which does about two-thirds of the testing in the region, is reporting a rolling average of 1.0%.

Hospitalizations have decreased or remained stable 10 out of the past 10 days in this region.

The West Suburban (DuPage and Kane counties) region’s positivity rate decreased to 1.6%. Currently, 28% of ICU beds are available.

Within this region, Kane County’s seven-day positivity stayed flat at 1.8%, and DuPage County’s decreased to 1.5%.

Hospitalizations decreased or remained stable 10 out of the past 10 days in this region.

The South Suburban (Will and Kankakee counties) region’s positivity rate decreased to 1.6%. Currently, 24% of ICU beds are available.

Hospitalizations decreased or remained stable 10 out of the past 10 days in this region.

The North (Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, and Winnebago counties) region’s positivity rate decreased to 2.0%.

Currently, 18% of ICU beds are available.

Within this region, DeKalb County’s positivity rate decreased to 2.1%, Lee County’s rate stayed flat at 0.0%, and Whiteside County’s decreased to 1.3%.

Hospitalizations decreased or remained stable 10 out of the past 10 days in this region.

The North-Central (Bureau, Fulton, Grundy, Henderson, Henry, Kendall, Knox, La Salle, Livingston, Marshall, McDonough, McLean, Mercer, Peoria, Putnam, Rock Island, Stark, Tazewell, Warren, and Woodford counties) region’s positivity rate stayed flat at 1.3%.

Within this region, La Salle County’s seven-day positivity rate stayed flat at 0.8%.

Currently, 24% of ICU beds are available. Hospitalizations decreased or remained stable for 10 out of the past 10 days.

Chicago’s positivity rate decreased to 1.3%.

Currently, 21% of ICU beds are available. Hospitalizations decreased or remained stable for 10 out of the past 10 days.

Suburban Cook County’s positivity rate decreased to 1.4%.

Currently, 19% of ICU beds are available. Hospitalizations decreased or remained stable 10 out of the past 10 days in this region.

To see how other regions across the state are doing, see the full IDPH dashboard here.

Newly reported deaths include:

• Cook County: 1 male 50s, 2 females 60s, 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s

• DuPage County: 1 male 40s, 1 female 60s, 1 male 80s

• Franklin County: 1 male 50s

• Grundy County: 1 male 50s

• Macon County: 1 male 90s

• Peoria County: 1 female 60s, 1 male 80s

• Rock Island County: 1 female 50s, 1 female 80s

• Tazewell County: 1 female 40s

• Winnebago County: 1 female 80s

John Sahly

John Sahly

John Sahly is the digital editor for the Shaw Local News Network. He has been with Shaw Media since 2008, previously serving as the Northwest Herald's digital editor, and the Daily Chronicle sports editor and sports reporter.