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November 19, 2020

News • November 19, 2020

McHenry County COVID-19 cases reach new high, Tier 3 mitigations to take effect

By

WOODSTOCK — The McHenry County Department of Health is urging the public to avoid unessential trips and social gatherings after an increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases and a rise in COVID-like Illness hospital admissions.

 

McHenry County was placed under Tier 1 mitigation by the State on October 31 due to 7-day rolling average testing positivity rates that exceeded 8% for three consecutive days. Testing positivity has continued to climb since late October and medical and surgical bed availability in McHenry County is currently at 27.3%, the lowest it’s been since spring.

“We were able to prevent the overburdening of hospitals in our region during the pandemic’s first peak and we can do it again. Let’s not throw away all the gains we made because we’re fatigued by this virus,” said Public Health Administrator Melissa Adamson. “We do not know the long term effects of the virus, but the immediate danger is further spread that risks overloading our hospitals. Changing our behaviors will limit the spread and protect others.”

Gov. JB Pritzker announced on Tuesday that Tier 3 COVID-19 resurgence mitigations will be implemented in Illinois, beginning 12:01 a.m. on Friday, November 20.

The additional Tier 3 mitigations include but are not limited to:

Bars and Restaurants

  • All bars and restaurants close at 11 p.m. and may reopen no earlier than 6 a.m. the following day
  • No indoor service
  • All bar and restaurant patrons should be seated at tables outside
  • No ordering, seating or congregating at bar (bar stools should be removed)
  • Tables should be 6 feet apart
  • No standing or congregating outdoors while waiting for a table or exiting
  • No dancing or standing indoors
  • No tables exceeding 6 people
  • Reservations required for each party
  • No seating of multiple parties at one table
  • Indoor gaming terminals must suspend operations
  • Includes private clubs and country clubs

 

Meetings, social events and gatherings (including weddings, potlucks, etc.)

  • Limit in-home gatherings to household members
  • Meeting rooms, banquet centers, private party rooms, private clubs and country clubs may not host gatherings
  • No party buses
  • Funerals are limited to 10 family members of the decedents, not including staff

Health and Fitness Centers

  • Operate at no more than 25% capacity
  • No indoor group classes
  • Face covering must be work at all times, including while engaged in individual exercise regardless of person or machine spacing
  • Reservations required
  • Locker room areas should be closed

Indoor recreation, theaters, cultural Institutions (e.g. casinos, bowling, arcades, movie theaters, museums and zoos

  • Gaming and casinos close
  • Indoor recreation centers, including theaters, performing arts centers and indoor museums and amusement centers close
  • Live streaming of performances encouraged with social distancing of performers and minimum operational staff
  • Outdoor activities allowed at 25% capacity or less
  • Outdoor group activities limited to 10 persons or less, participants/guests must wear face coverings at all times
  • Reservations required for each guest for outdoor activities

For a complete list of the additional restrictions that will be applied, visit the Tier 3 Resurgence Mitigations.

Free testing for COVID-19 in McHenry County is available.

The McHenry County Department of Health has hosted two state-operated mobile testing sites in McHenry County during November and will be hosting two additional sites this month.

The State will be in contact with those who’ve been tested at mobile state-operated sites four to seven days after the date an individual was tested. If it’s been seven days since being tested at a state-operated site and an individual has not received their result, contact the State’s testing hotline by calling 1-888-297-7208 or create an Illinois Department of Public Health MyChart account.

“With how widespread COVID-19 is in our community, having yourself tested and thinking a negative result means that it’s OK to socially gather can give way to a false sense of security. The test date is a snap shot for that day, you can be positive the next day,” Adamson said. “If you are the close contact of someone with the virus and are awaiting testing results, a negative test result does not release you from your quarantine. You should be doing everything possible to avoid coming into contact with others.”

More information about testing in McHenry County is available at bit.ly/MCDHCovidTesting1.

 

 

Lindsey Salvatelli

Community Information Coordinator

McHenry County Department of Health

Office: 667 Ware Rd Woodstock IL  60098 Suite 207

Mail: 2200 N Seminary Ave Woodstock IL  60098
[email protected]
Office: 815-334-4456
Mobile: 815-236-3238

Fax: 815-334-4635