Citing his concerns over a sustained increases in Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic cases locally and across the state, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker on November 9 announced tighter restrictions in Regions 5, 7 and 8 (DuPage County) for at least two to three weeks, effective on November 11.
Confirmed cases have continued to increase since the Governor’s October 23 Executive Order shutting down indoor dining in Regions 7 and 8 restaurants and bars, and limiting in-person gatherings to the lesser of 25 people (down from 50) or 25 percent of capacity
According to the Governor, residents who are not wearing masks, washing their hands and keeping six feet of social distancing from those who are not members of their households are to blame for the spread of COVID-19.
“The virus is winning the war,” said Gov. Pritzker, who also called on local officials to enforce the rules.
The Governor reported new daily confirmed cases of COVID-19 are up nearly 380 percent since October 1, while the state’s test positivity rate is up more than 180 percent in the last five weeks. Hospitalizations and deaths per day are up more than 150 percent in the same time period.
Regions 5, 7 and 8 now will join the northwestern corner of the state—Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago counties—under Tier 2 Restore Illinois restrictions developed by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
The ban on indoor dining and bar service as well as a cap on indoor gatherings at 25 people or 25% of overall room capacity will remain in place in every Illinois region.
Under the new rules, no more than six people may be seated at the same outdoor table at restaurants and bars, and outdoor recreational activities are limited to no more than 25 people or 25 percent of overall room capacity both indoors and outdoors. Group exercise is limited to 10 or fewer people, except at fitness centers.
State health officials reported 10,573 new cases on November 9, 14 virus-related deaths in the most-recent 24 hours and more than 10,000 new cases of per day for four straight days.
The seven-day positivity rate is 11.4 percent statewide and 13.7 percent in Region 8, according to IDPH data.