While many continue to air their frustrations, others are looking for answers in how to get their region of Illinois opened under the restrictions in place. To get to Phase 3 of the governor’s five-phase reopening plan, there are certain metrics a region must attain. Among those is the COVID-19 positivity rate among all tests conducted. That number must be below 20 percent for 14 days. While the Northeast region hasn’t dipped below around 21 percent, state data shows since May 1, the North-Central region hasn’t been over 10 percent. The Central region hasn’t been above 7 percent. The Southern region, where we’re located, hasn’t gone over 12.75 positivity rate.
Another metric the governor’s plan lays out for regions to attain to advance to the third of five phases of reopening is hospital occupancy. All four regions have at least 14 percent available beds and ventilators to take any possible surge, though the Northeast region which includes Chicago edges that. The Central region has overall the most beds available of all the regions.
