CHICAGO, Ill. � Gov. JB Pritzker continues to praise Illinoisans for lowering the COVID-19 positivity rate across almost every region. However, there is one area Pritzker is concerned about.
The governor says Region 1 in northern Illinois is on the top of his radar. Pritzker says the Rockford area’s positivity rate is rising at an alarming rate. The 7-day rolling positivity rate is currently at 7.5%, but the governor could put strict mitigations in place if the region hits 8% positivity.
His administration has already been in contact with public health officials across the region to help enforce the COVID health guidance.
“Please wear your masks, encourage others to wear masks,� Pritzker said Wednesday. “Watch your distance, wash your hands, and get your flu shot now to make sure that if you get COVID-19 it won’t be much worse than it otherwise could be.�
He noted it is possible to bring positivity down significantly, as Region 7 covering Will County is back to 5.7%. Region 4, once the state’s highest positivity rate (near 10%), currently has a 7-day rolling positivity rate of 7.3%.
The governor isn’t changing his stance on fall sports despite protests by athletes and families across the state. He says they will get a chance to play in the spring.
Understanding the death toll
As of Wednesday, 8,500 Illinoisans have died due to complications with COVID-19. Pritzker says that is one of the key reasons people should take the virus seriously.
The governor said he understands the death toll is hard for people to understand. Pritzker added many people don’t want to deal with that number. However, he said more Illinoisans are finding out they know someone who recently died from COVID-19 or is still dealing with severe complications.
“I think those people have changed their minds, many of them. They’ve come to understand that when it’s somebody close to you or someone you know that has died or gotten significantly ill, that has an effect on how you feel about it and whether you think it’s real.�
Pritzker feels everyone should be aware of how many people they know suffering their own communities.
