CDC reports 59 Illinois counties at ‘high’ community level of COVID-19

The number of Illinois counties at the level where masks are recommended in indoor public spaces has dropped, according to data released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Fifty-nine counties are now at a “high” community level of COVID-19, down seven from the last week. Thirty-four counties are at a “medium” risk level.

As of Wednesday, 1,416 Illinoisans were in the hospital with COVID-19, down 71 from Tuesday and down 60 from the prior week.

Of the patients in the hospital, 135 were in intensive care units, down 17 from Tuesday and down 36 from the prior week. Eighteen percent of Illinois’ ICU beds were available, down 1 percentage point from the prior week.

There were 56 patients on ventilators, up five from Tuesday and up 13 from the prior week.

IDPH reported 4,149 new COVID-19 cases and 24 deaths on Thursday.

The new cases bring the state total to 3,588,158, while the death toll is at 34,412.

The seven-day average for new cases on Thursday was 4,345, down 617 from the prior week. The seven-day average for daily deaths is nine, up two from the prior week.

The seven-day case rate per 100,000 people is 34.1 down 4.8 from the prior week.

Illinois vaccinators have administered 23,041,731 COVID-19 vaccines, including 4,694,845 booster doses. The seven-day average for doses administered is 9,908.