Park Ridge Clarifies State's Multi-Phase Reopening

Press release from the City of Park Ridge:

May 15, 2020

Want to better understand the State of Illinois multi-phase plan for reopening? Here are some key takeaways:

The plan divides Illinois into 4 regions, all of which are currently in Phase 2. Park Ridge has been in Phase 2 since the stay-at-home order was modified to lift certain restrictions on May 1.

To move into Phase 3, a region’s average percentage of COVID-19 tests that come back positive must be at or below 20% for 14 days. Additionally, a region’s rate of COVID-19 hospital admissions must remain stable or decrease for 28 days. Lastly, a region must have at least 14% of ICU beds, medical and surgical beds, and ventilators available for use.

The “averages” mentioned above are derived from data that was reported each day for the past 7 days (including a 3 day lag time, so today’s averages will come from test results that were reported from about May 3 - 10). By using a rolling 7-day average, a single-day spike in cases or hospital admissions wouldn’t necessarily prevent a region from continuing toward the next phase.

As of today (May 15, 2020), all of the metrics for the Northeast Region (Park Ridge) are in the green. That means this region has hit the benchmark on percentages of positive test rates, hospitalizations, and hospital bed capacities to begin counting down the days until Phase 3.

Remember to continue to practice social distancing, wear a face covering when necessary and wash your hands frequently. We'll get through this together.

Current data on positive test rates, hospital admissions, and available hospital beds is available at https://www.dph.illinois.gov/restore

Answers to frequently asked Restore Illinois questions is available at https://www.dph.illinois.gov/restore/restore-faqs.

You can also read the entire Restore Illinois plan at https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/sfc/servlet.shepherd/document/download/069t000000BadS0AAJ?operationContext=S1.

This press release was produced by the City of Park Ridge. The views expressed here are the author’s own.