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August 4, 2021

News • August 4, 2021

McHenry County reaches ‘substantial’ community transmission of COVID-19

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McHENRY COUNTY — The McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) is reporting that indicators used to track community transmission of COVID-19 in McHenry County show that the level of community transmission has increased from moderate to substantial.

MCDH recommends that everyone in McHenry County follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated guidance including wearing a mask when indoors regardless of their vaccination status.

Like the CDC the MCDH uses two indicators to determine community transmission: past seven-day incidence rate of cases per 100,000 persons and test positivity. Unlike the CDC, MCDH’s community transmission metrics recommend an increase to a higher transmission level if the incidence rate or test positivity percentage exceeds a transmission level threshold for at least seven of the last 10 days. If the indicators suggest different transmission levels, the highest level is selected.

There are four levels of community transmission — Low, Moderate, Substantial and High. Community transmissions levels are as follows:

 

  • Low Transmission: Incidence rates of 0-9.99; Test Positivity of 0-4.9%
  • Moderate Transmission: Incidence rates of 10-49.99; Test Positivity of 5-7.9%
  • Substantial Transmission: Incidence rates of 50-99.99; Test Positivity of 8-9.9%
  • High Transmission: Incidence rates of 100 or more; Test Positivity of 10% or more

 

Community transmission levels can move back to a lower transmission level when both indicators have met the lower transmission level threshold for seven consecutive days.

All data is provisional, but information about the community transmission level is available on MCDH’s School Metrics Dashboard and additional COVID-19 data is available on MCDH’s COVID-19 Dashboard.

“As the Delta variant is becoming the predominant variant circulating in Illinois, wearing a mask indoors, even if fully vaccinated, will help reduce the spread of the disease. This is especially important for those with underlying medical conditions or weakened immune systems,” said MCDH Public Health Administrator Melissa Adamson. “We are asking everyone to consider how their actions may impact others as community transmission of COVID-19 is on the rise.”

Vaccinating yourself against COVID-19 is not the only tool to slow community transmission of the virus but is the strongest preventative measure available to us. To find a vaccination location near you, please visit vaccines.gov.

If your business or organization is interested in holding a vaccine clinic, please complete the “Request A Clinic Form” available on MCDH’s COVID-19 Vaccine Locations webpage. If you have questions or need assistance to complete the form, please call the MCDH COVID-19 Call Center at (815) 334-4045.