March 29, 2024
Coronavirus

New COVID-19 cases almost match the peak of Illinois’ third virus wave back in the spring

Breakthrough hospitalizations increase, but 99.987% of the fully vaccinated population has not been hospitalized with a breakthrough infection

The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 3,933 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 and nine additional deaths Wednesday, and a total of 13,410,497 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered.

The 3,933 new coronavirus cases are the most in a single day since April 9, when the state announced 4,004 new cases. That day was the peak of the state’s third wave of COVID-19, which delayed the full reopening of the state.

Vaccines are still proving to work to keep positive COVID-19 cases out of the hospital. The state’s weekly update of breakthrough hospitalizations and deaths shows a total of 899 breakthrough hospitalizations. Of the fully vaccinated population in Illinois, 99.987% have not been hospitalized with a breakthrough infection.

However, the increase of 185 breakthrough hospitalizations is the largest single-week increase since IDPH started making this data public.

For breakthrough deaths, the state reports a total of 189, an increase of nine in the past week. Breakthrough deaths represent only 2.68% of the state’s total COVID-19 deaths since January 1, 2021.

Breakthrough is defined as an individual who tests positive for COVID-19 at least 14 days after being fully vaccinated and did not test positive in the previous 45 days.

For Thursday, the state administered 17,068 shots.

The state received the results of 61,435 COVID-19 tests in the 24 hours leading up to Wednesday afternoon. The state’s positivity rate is 5.1%.

Illinois has seen 1,451,094 total cases of the virus, and 23,551 people have died. The state has conducted a total of 27,464,864 tests since the start of the pandemic.

As of late Tuesday, Illinois had 1,558 COVID-19 patients in the hospital, the most since May 14. Of those, 311 were in intensive care units, the most since May 28, and 145 were on ventilators.

Vaccine update: As of Wednesday, IDPH reported a total of 15,177,465 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been distributed statewide, with 13,410,497 vaccines administered.

As of the time this story was published, 6,505,315 of the population of Illinois have been fully vaccinated, or 51.06%. Illinois has a population of 12,741,080 people.

The state also updated how it counts its vaccine data, as Tuesday’s data showed the state was 52% fully vaccinated: “On August 10, 2021, IDPH transitioned from including all vaccinations administered in Illinois, including those administered to people who live out of state, to reporting the number of Illinois residents who have been vaccinated in Illinois,” according to a note on the IDPH website.

Among Illinois residents 12 and older:

Fully Vaccinated: 6,225,730 (57.4%)

At Least 1 Dose: 8,031,062 (74.1%)

Among Illinois residents 18 and older:

Fully Vaccinated: 5,863,750 (59.5%)

At Least 1 Dose: 7,482,780 (75.9%)

Among Illinois residents 65 and older:

Fully Vaccinated: 1,549,351 (75.8%)

At Least 1 Dose: 1,882,848 (92.2%)

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: 52.97%

Suburban Cook: 56.48%

Lake: 53.52%

McHenry: 51.86%

DuPage: 60.74%

Kane: 51.40%

Will: 51.28%

Kendall: 52.44%

La Salle: 45.41%

Grundy: 43.71%

DeKalb: 44.88%

Ogle: 44.46%

Lee: 47.77%

Whiteside: 43.53%

Regional update: All 11 regions in the state are in Phase 5.

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

The North Suburban (McHenry and Lake counties) region’s positivity rate increased to 5.7%. Currently, 25% of ICU beds are available.

Within this region, McHenry County’s seven-day positivity rate average stayed flat at 6.7%. Lake County, which does about two-thirds of the testing in the region, is reporting a rolling average of 5.4%.

Hospitalizations have increased 17 consecutive days in this region. The region is up to a total of 71 COVID-19 patients in the hospital.

The West Suburban (DuPage and Kane counties) region’s positivity rate increased to 5.4%. Currently, 29% of ICU beds are available.

Within this region, Kane County’s seven-day positivity rate stayed flat at 6.1%, and DuPage County’s increased to 5.1%.

Hospitalizations have increased 22 consecutive days in this region. The region is up to 115 total COVID-19 patients in the hospital.

The South Suburban (Will and Kankakee counties) region’s positivity rate stayed flat at 6.3%. Currently, 23% of ICU beds are available.

Hospitalizations have increased 15 consecutive days in this region. The region is up to 71 total COVID-19 patients in the hospital.

The North (Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago counties) region’s positivity rate stayed flat at 6.2%.

Currently, 16% of ICU beds are available.

Within this region, DeKalb County’s positivity rate increased to 5.7%, Lee County’s rate decreased to 1.6%, and Whiteside County’s went down to 4.7%.

Hospitalizations have increased 10 consecutive days in this region. The region is up to 64 total COVID-19 hospitalizations.

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 increased to 5.2%.

Within this region, La Salle County’s seven-day positivity rate stayed flat at 3.9%. Currently, 24% of ICU beds are available. Hospitalizations have increased for 15 consecutive days. The region is up to a total of 110 COVID-19 patients in the hospital.

Chicago’s positivity rate increased to 3.5%. Currently, 18% of ICU beds are available. Hospitalizations have increased for 10 consecutive days.

Suburban Cook County’s positivity rate increased to 4.5%. Currently, 21% of ICU beds are available. Hospitalizations have increased for 25 consecutive days in this region.

The far southern part of Illinois, Region 5, is down to seven available ICU beds out of 89 total, and its positivity rate is at 9.7%.

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.