Phase 3 reopening streak continues for North Central Region

The North Central Region, which includes La Salle, Bureau, Putnam, Marshall, DeKalb, Ogle, Lee, Whiteside, Carroll and Livingston counties, among others, is still on track for a Phase 3 reopening later this month.

Tuesday’s update shows the positivity rate is on a slow decrease from 10.16% on May 2 to 8.1% on May 9, and below the 20% required for phase 3 reopening. Additionally, the available medical/surgical beds and ICU beds have remained stagnant at 41% while ventilator availability rose 2% to 62% surge capacity, which meets the criteria of being above 14%.

Hospital admissions have dropped 42.2% since May 1.

The region must have no overall increase in hospital admission for COVID-19-like illnesses for 28 days.

The region also needs to be at or below a 20% positivity rate and increase no more than 10% over a 14-day period, and also must have available surge capacity for at least 14% of ICU beds, medical and surgical beds and ventilators.

Phase 3 would allow manufacturing, offices, retail, barbershops and salons to reopen to the public with capacity limits and safety precautions.

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 and for travel to resume.

Once a region moves forward, it still can move back a phase if there is a sustained rise in positivity rate, a sustained increase in hospital admissions for COVID-19-like illness, a reduction in hospital capacity threatening surge capabilities, or a significant outbreak in the region that threatens the health of the region.

Source: The Daily Chronicle