Chicago has announced changes to its reopening plan as the city faces “worrying increases” in COVID health metrics and aims to prevent “a third surge of the virus in Chicago.” Jen DeSalvo reports.
Following a similar path as Chicago, Cook County announced the gradual reduction of COVID-19 mitigation measures Friday, particularly as it relates to outdoor gatherings, as it experiences a worrisome rise in case numbers.
Suburban Cook County has recently seen its daily case rate increase by more than 40%, along with nine days of increasing hospital bed usage, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
According to a new mitigation order issued by the Cook County Department of Public Health Friday, the updated capacity limits include:
- Outdoor Dining: Groups of 10 people
- Amusement Parks: Can open at 25% capacity
- Outdoor Fitness Classes, Meetings, Social Events and Recreation Activities: Can increase to 50% capacity or 100 people
- Seated Spectator Events: Venues with a capacity less than 200 are limited to 50% and no more than 50 individuals. Larger venues with a capacity of more than 200 are limited to 25% capacity.
While most indoor restrictions remain the same, that's not the case for indoor fitness classes, which can increase to the lesser of 50% capacity or 50 people per room.
Face coverings must be worn at all times, and a minimum distance of six feet must be maintained between all participants, officials said.
Citing "worrying increases" in COVID health metrics, Chicago increased outdoor capacity limits at a number of establishments Thursday, with the focus of preventing "a third surge of the virus" in the city.
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Statewide, Illinois' is reporting a "concerning possible trend" that could mark the start of another resurgence, according to IDPH.
Since March 8, Illinois has seen 10 days of increases in the seven-day rolling average for hospital admissions, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. At the same time, the COVID-19 test positivity has risen from 2.5% on March 10, to 3.3% on Friday.
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So far, Illinois isn't meeting the metrics required to move into its "Bridge Phase," a transition phase that would increase capacity limitations ahead of a full reopening. In order to move forward, 70% of residents 65 and older statewide must have received their first dose of the vaccine, with no increase in COVID-19 metrics like hospital admissions and more.
