As the city of Chicago continues to see improvements in its coronavirus metrics, the state of Illinois has moved the city forward to Phase 4 mitigation rules.
Under the new rules, indoor bar service can resume, while capacity limits at tables have increased to six people per table.
Here are the latest COVID-19 headlines from around the state:
Coronavirus by the Numbers: COVID-19 Metrics in Each of Illinois' 11 Health Care Regions
Chicago’s health care region became the sixth to move to Phase 4 coronavirus mitigations on Sunday, and it will soon be joined by another as Region 7 will likely move to the next phase of mitigation rules Monday.
According to the latest coronavirus metrics released by the state, all seven regions that will be in Phase 4 mitigations Monday are currently trending in the right direction to stay that way, with positivity rates remaining low and hospitalizations dropping in most of the state.
Here are the latest coronavirus metrics from each of the state’s 11 health care regions, broken down by which phase or tier the region is currently in.
News
Illinois Reports 2,428 New COVID-19 Cases, 40 Additional Deaths Sunday
Health officials in Illinois have reported 2,428 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus on Sunday, along with 40 additional deaths attributed to the virus.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Sunday’s new cases bring the state to 1,126,301 cases of the virus in the state, with 19,243 deaths attributed to COVID since the pandemic began last year.
The number of new cases is the lowest reported in the state since Oct. 6, according to IDPH data.
Will, Kankakee Counties Expected to Move to Phase 4 Mitigations Monday
Another health care region in the state of Illinois is on track to reach Phase 4 coronavirus mitigation rules, as Region 7 is expected to reach that milestone on Monday.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the region, comprised of Will and Kankakee counties, will meet the metrics required to move to the less-restrictive rules on Monday, provided it remains within the current thresholds.
In order for a region to move to Phase 4 mitigations, it must meet three key criteria. It must have a positivity rate of 6.5% or better for three consecutive days, an ICU bed availability of 20% or greater for three consecutive days, and it must show decreases or stability in hospitalizations for COVID on seven of the preceding 10 days.
Chicago Moves to Phase 4 Coronavirus Mitigation Rules, Officials Say
The city of Chicago is officially moving into Phase 4 of Illinois’ coronavirus mitigation plan thanks to continued improvements in positivity rates and hospitalizations, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced Sunday.
Under the parameters of Phase 4, indoor service at bars can resume, with indoor service continuing at restaurants, according to the IDPH website.
The move means that more than half of the state’s health care regions have now moved to Phase 4 mitigation rules. Most suburban communities remain under Tier 1 mitigations, which allow indoor dining but not indoor bar service.
Agreements Reached on 4 of Several Issues in CPS and CTU Dispute: Chicago Officials
The Chicago Public Schools and the city's teachers union became one closer to ending their in-person learning dispute Saturday as, according to city officials, both sides reached tentative agreements on four key issues.
The four issues were said to be health and safety protocols, ventilation, contact tracing as well as health and safety committees.
"There is still significant work that needs to be done on the remaining several open issues," Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPS CEO Dr. Janice Jackson said in a joint statement issued in the early evening. "We must make additional, meaningful progress today and tomorrow as time is running out."
Deerfield Girl Raises Money for Children's Hospital with Homemade Coasters
A suburban Deerfield third grader started crafting with beads as a fun hobby while staying at home during the coronavirus pandemic. Now, Ruby Goldkind, 8, is raising money for children in need with the beverage coasters she created.
"I wanted to help sick people, care for them and raise money to get the tools they need," said Goldkind, the founder of the recently-formed "Ruby's Tasty Treat Coasters."
Half of all proceeds raised go toward Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago.
