State eyes Phase 4 as new COVID cases continue to decline
For second straight week, just 4 total new cases in Landmark area
Restaurants must arrange their seating facilities so that tables are 6 feet apart, and parties larger than 10 people will not be allowed, per state guidelines. Standing areas such as bars will be allowed to operate at no more than 25 percent of capacity, and staff is required to wear face coverings when serving customers.
As well, gatherings of 50 people — up from 10 — will be allowed in Illinois, including at weddings and funerals; and fitness centers, movie theaters, museums and zoos will be allowed to reopen with capacity limits and health guidelines in place. Industry-specific guidelines from the state can be found at Illinois.gov/businessguidelines.
The state continues to see downward trends in hospitalizations and positivity rate of those tested for the COVID-19 virus. The number of new cases has leveled off to about 450 to 700 daily over the past 10 days, even as more businesses and activities get the green light to reopen.
Hospital bed, intensive care bed and ventilator use by COVID-19 patients on Monday all were at lows since the state began reporting the numbers daily on April 12, with 1,628, 419 and 256, respectively. The state continues to report about 18,000 to 30,000 test results daily, and the positivity rate for tests conducted over the past seven days is approximately 2 percent, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Monday's 462 new cases among 18,219 tested made for a positivity rate of about 2.5 percent, and the new cases reported were the lowest in one week's time.
In Brookfield, Riverside and North Riverside the number of new cases remained very low for the second straight week.
As of the morning of June 23, just one new cases each were reported in Brookfield and North Riverside, while Riverside saw an increase of two new cases week over week. No new deaths as a result of COVID-19 have been reported for any of the villages since June 6.
"The state of Illinois has made great progress in slowing the spread of COVID-19, largely because of the measures our administration enacted to protect residents and communities during this public health crisis," IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said in a news release. "Our strategy to encourage social distancing and expand testing and contact tracing will enable Illinois communities to continue to take steps to reopen, to return to work and to resume daily activities."
While each of the second, third and fourth phases of the plan lasted 30 days, there is no timetable for moving from Phase 4 to Phase 5, the final phase of the plan when the state's economy fully reopens, including conventions, festivals and large events.
Per the current plan, Phase 5 cannot begin without a coronavirus vaccine or "highly effective treatment" being widely available, or without new cases of the virus being eliminated for a sustained period.
When Phase 4 begins Friday, venues will be able to host up to 50 people or 50 percent of their overall room capacity — whichever number is less. Multiple groups are permitted at certain facilities as long as there is space to social distance and limit interaction between groups.
Bowling alleys, skating rinks and clubhouses are on the list of allowable indoor and outdoor recreation under Phase 4, provided they also operate at the lesser of 50 customers or half capacity. Groups of 50 will be allowed for outdoor recreation, and multiple groups can gather if they can remain separated.
Museums and zoos can reopen at 25 percent capacity or less, but interactive exhibits and rides must be closed. Guided tours will be allowed but must be limited to 50 people or fewer per group.
Indoor-seated theaters and performing arts centers would be allowed to open with 50 guests maximum or 50 percent capacity, whichever is less, in each of the theater's screening rooms or performance spaces.
The guidelines also included revisions for youth and recreational sports. Those include allowing competitive gameplay and tournaments with venues operating at half capacity and 20 percent seating capacity for spectators. Group sizes of up to 50 would be allowed with multiple groups permitted during practice and competitive games as long as interaction between groups is limited.
Gyms and fitness centers can open at half capacity and can have group fitness classes of up to 50 people with new indoor safety guidelines. Multiple groups, provided interaction between them is limited, would be permitted at these facilities as well
Bob Uphues contributed to this report.
Love the Landmark?
Become our partner in independent community journalism
Thanks for turning to Riverside Brookfield Landmark and RBLandmark.com. We love our thousands of digital-only readers. Now though we're asking you to partner up in paying for our reporters and photographers who report this news. It had to happen, right?
On the plus side, we're giving you a simple way, and a better reason, to join in. We're now a non-profit -- Growing Community Media -- so your donation is tax deductible. And signing up for a monthly donation, or making a one-time donation, is fast and easy.
No threats from us. The news will be here. No paywalls or article countdowns. We're counting on an exquisite mix of civic enlightenment and mild shaming. Sort of like public radio.
Claim your bragging rights. Become a digital member.
Reader Comments
No Comments - Add Your Comment
Note: This page requires you to login with Facebook to comment.
Facebook Connect
Quick Links
Sign-up to get the latest news updates for Riverside and Brookfield. | |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
Subscribe | Classified |
Multimedia | Contact us |
Submit Letter To The Editor | |
Place a Classified Ad |
Latest Comments
Replying to Mr. Points. Statistics are funny things....
By Jay Aldrich
Posted: January 22nd, 2021 9:01 AM
The problem is that facts are frequently discarded...
By Jon Points
Posted: January 21st, 2021 10:44 PM
The hypocrisy and lack of self-awareness these days is...
By Cindy Reynolds Rayfield
Posted: January 21st, 2021 3:55 PM
My first symptoms of ALS occurred in 2014, but was...
By Thato Amelia
Posted: January 20th, 2021 10:22 PM
@Matt Leuck I'm afraid it is much more complicated...
By Meathead Goldwyn
Posted: January 20th, 2021 2:11 PM
My Florida friends over 65 have all been vaccinated at...
By Matt Leuck
Posted: January 20th, 2021 11:20 AM
Jan is going by the left's playbook: She wants to...
By Jay Aldrich
Posted: January 19th, 2021 11:00 AM
This rambling cruel attack on Trump Voters isn't...
By Mark Winston
Posted: January 15th, 2021 2:24 PM
I am all for solar savings but I also was informed...
By Angela Cruz
Posted: January 14th, 2021 8:14 PM