BREAKING: Illinois Covid Numbers Roar Into “High” Red Alert, Shutdowns Beginning?
BREAKING NEWS: Illinois covid-19 numbers in all counties have broken into the “red alert” high level for infections, according to new statistics from the Illinois Department of Health.
All of the Illinois zones have begun showing increasing numbers of covid-19 infections going into the fall.
As of the latest stats released yesterday, in 100 of the 102 Illinois counties, the levels are at “substantial to high transmission.” In addition, ALL of the Illinois border counties in Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri, and Kentucky, are seeing a surge and are in the red.
Zones four and five in Illinois are over 10 and 9.5 percent, respectively, with 12 percent being the number to trigger a shutdown. Even with numbers being just under the trigger, and lower throughout the rest of the state, some businesses have already begun shutting down or cancelling events, reminiscent of what has happened in the past, prior to larger, more wide-sweeping shutdowns. Artist Shakey Graves canceled a number of shows around the Midwest due to the rampant spread of the delta variant of covid. The popular Codfish Hollow Barnstormers and Raccoon Motel venues in the Iowa and Illinois Quad-Cities market have both announced canceled concerts and proof of vaccination requirements to attend shows, as more and more touring artists begin to require proof of vaccination to attend concerts.
In addition, as previously reported by QuadCities.com, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker did not rule out
As of yesterday, 100 of the 102 counties in Illinois are in the “high” transmission category for covid-19.
further shutdowns and restrictions while announcing a return to covid mitigations in Illinois due to the huge spikes in infections in the state, especially among unvaccinated people. Pritzker’s mitigations included a return to students wearing masks in schools, and a requirement all state employees at congregate facilities to be vaccinated. All employees at veterans homes, senior facilities, long-term care facilities, etc. will be required to be vaccinated.
Shutdowns and stronger mitigations have already begun sweeping the United States as the highly contagious delta variant of covid-19 begins to creep back up and temperatures start to dip into fall, meaning more people will be inside and the risk of contagion is higher.
Worried that of the coronavirus could derail San Francisco’s economic rebound, Mayor London Breed announced Thursday that the city will require proof of full vaccination at indoor restaurants, bars, gyms and entertainment venues to help keep businesses open – effective Aug. 20. San Francisco will require proof of full Covid vaccination for all customers and staff, while New York mandated proof of at least one dose for indoor activities.
The mandate will be more stringent than the one announced by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio last week. New York City announced it would require proof of vaccination for leisure indoor activities at restaurants, gyms and performances — becoming the first major city in the U.S. to do so. Mayor Bill de Blasio said the program, known as the “Key to NYC Pass,” will begin in mid-August during a transition period before it will be fully enforced beginning the week of Sept. 13.
For more, and ongoing, coverage of covid-19 and how it impacts Illinois, continue to follow free, fact-based QuadCities.com.
