COVID cases, deaths decline in IL. CDC puts 14 counties at an elevated community level

Jackie Starkey
Updated ·2 min read
17

Though new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Illinois dropped over the latest reporting week, the number of counties at an elevated community level rose by one.

That’s according to the most recent data from the state and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Illinois counted 7,195 cases for the week ending April 2, a drop from the 7,879 such cases reported the prior week.

It’s also a substantial drop from roughly a month ago, when the state was reporting nearly 11,000 new cases at the end of February.

In addition to the falling case counts, Illinois is also seeing deaths tick down slightly, with 14 reported in the latest week. Since the onset of the pandemic, 36,648 individuals in the state have succumb to COVID-19.

COVID-19 community levels in Illinois

As of Thursday’s update, the CDC has put 14 Illinois counties at the medium COVID-19 community level. Those counties include four in southern Illinois – Perry, Jackson, Franklin and Williamson.

The others are Macoupin, Montgomery, Shelby, Moultrie, Piatt, Macon, Iroquois, Kankakee, Stephenson and Jo Daviess counties.

Data is unavailable through the CDC for one county in the state, Hancock.

This map of Illinois from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows COVID-19 community levels by county as of April 7, 2023. The yellow counties are at medium, while the green are at low. Zero counties are at the high designation, orange.
This map of Illinois from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows COVID-19 community levels by county as of April 7, 2023. The yellow counties are at medium, while the green are at low. Zero counties are at the high designation, orange.

The levels are updated each Thursday based on state data for new cases and hospitalizations per 100,000 individuals, as well as an average percentage of COVID-occupied hospital beds.

Federal officials have reduced masking guidance over the course of the pandemic, but recommend wearing one in indoor settings in counties at high. That recommendation extends to medium-level counties for those at greater risk for severe illness.

In the metro-east, Madison, Monroe, St. Clair, Clinton, Bond, Randolph and Washington counties are all at low as of Thursday.

COVID-19 in Illinois and the metro-east

“It continues to be welcome news that COVID-19 community levels are remaining low throughout most of Illinois,” IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra stated in a Friday press release. “However, as spring arrives so does the potential for common springtime illnesses. As many families across Illinois come together to celebrate their faith traditions this weekend, as well as travel during spring break, let’s continue to practice good public health techniques to protect our family and friends who are most at risk of serious illness.”

As of Thursday night, the state reported 79 individuals hospitalized in intensive care for COVID-19 in Illinois. Twenty-one were on ventilators.

In the state’s “Region 4,” which includes the metro-east, ICU utilization is at 89%, though ventilator utilization was at 13%.

The CDC recommends boosters to individuals who have not received a shot since before September 2022. To find a free shot near you, visit vaccine.gov.

In addition, the state of Illinois continues to advertise its test-to-treat program aimed at connecting infected individuals with the care they need to beat the coronavirus.