Evanston now at ‘high’ community COVID risk level due to surge in cases, city says – NBC Chicago

Based on the growing number of new COVID cases reported over the past seven days, the City of Evanston said Thursday its community risk level for COVID has risen from “medium” to “high,” the level of highest alert, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

City metrics show 397 new COVID cases were reported in Evanston over a seven-day period, up from 305 the previous week.

According to local health officials, once Evanston reaches more than 200 new COVID cases per 100,000 people over a one-week period, the community level jumps to high.

Evanston also reported 83 daily cases on Thursday – a jump of more than 50% from Wednesday, when it reported just 47.

According to the City of Chicago, “A county’s risk level can be low, medium, or high based on a combination of three measures: the number of new local cases of COVID-19; the number of new admissions to the local hospital for COVID-19; and the proportion of local hospital beds occupied by patients with COVID.”

Evanston reports that its percentage of hospital beds occupied by COVID patients is at a “medium” risk level, at 4.22%. “According to the Cook County Public Health Department, cases in Suburban Cook County are increasing, but the county as a whole remains at the ‘medium’ community risk level.

Local health officials in Evanston say nearly 90% of residents over the age of 5 are vaccinated.

According to the Cook County Public Health Department, cases in Suburban Cook County are increasing, but the county as a whole remains at the “medium” community risk level.

Chicago’s COVID risk level is currently at “medium.”

The risk levels put in place by the city and county are based on data and health alerts from the CDC. As of Friday, more than a dozen Illinois counties — including Cook, Kane, McHenry, Lake, DuPage, DeKalb, Kendall and Will counties — were all listed under the CDC’s “medium community” alert level. .

Last week, only 8 counties in the state were in the “average” category.

According to the CDC, people living in communities where a “high” community risk of COVID is reported should wear a properly fitted mask in public indoor spaces, including schools, regardless of their vaccination status.

The CDC also recommends that high-risk or immunocompromised people consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities.