What does it mean when a county warning level is changed to orange?
IDPH uses numerous indicators when determining if a county is experiencing stable COVID-19 activity, or if there are warning signs of increased COVID-19 risk in the county.
-New cases per 100,000 people. If there are more than 50 new cases per 100,000 people in the county, this triggers a warning.
-Number of deaths. This metric indicates a warning when the weekly number of deaths increases more than 20% for two consecutive weeks.
-Weekly test positivity. This metric indicates a warning when the 7-day test positivity rate rises above 8%.
-ICU availability. If there are fewer than 20% of intensive care units available in the region, this triggers a warning.
-Weekly emergency department visits. This metric indicates a warning when the weekly percent of COVID-19-like-illness emergency department visits -increase by more than 20% for two consecutive weeks.
-Weekly hospital admissions. A warning is triggered when the weekly number of hospital admissions for COVID-19-like-illness increases by more than 20% for two consecutive weeks.
-Tests performed. This metric is used to provide context and indicate if more testing is needed in the county.
-Clusters. This metric looks at the percent of COVID-19 cases associated with clusters or outbreaks and is used to understand large increase in cases.
These metrics are intended to be used for local level awareness to help local leaders, businesses, local health departments, and the public make informed decisions about personal and family gatherings, as well as what activities they choose to do. The metrics are updated weekly, from the Sunday-Saturday of the prior week.
A map and information of each county’s status can be found on the IDPH website at dph.illinois.gov County Level COVID-19 Risk Metrics | IDPH
McDonough County COVID-19 Dashboard
Illinois Regional Resurgence Information
IDPH is monitoring key indicators to identify early but significant increases of COVID-19
transmission in Illinois, potentially signifying resurgence. These indicators are calculated for
eleven newly described Illinois regions. IDPH will monitor if these indicators show an
increase in COVID-19 disease burden with a simultaneous decrease in hospital
capacity OR if there are three consecutive days greater than or equal to 8% test positivity rate
(7 day rolling). These indicators can be used to determine whether additional community
mitigation interventions are needed for a region to control the further spread of COVID-19.
Indicators are calculated daily for each region based on the most current, complete data. Each
indicator is compared to a pre-established threshold value to evaluate the COVID-19 disease
burden and hospital resource capacity. By applying the same metrics to each region, IDPH uses
a standardized approach to monitor the state as a whole while also monitoring regional trends.
Once a region meets resurgence criteria, mitigation measures will be implemented. If sustained
increases in health metrics continue unabated, more stringent mitigation measures will be
implemented. Tiered mitigation measures can be found here.
McDonough county is part of region 2. Region 2, along with all other regions in the state of Illinois will
begin operating under Tier 3 mitigation strategies on Friday November 20, 2020.