Grundy County’s positivity rate hits 9.9%

Grundy County remains at warning level for COVID-19 for a third consecutive week as it fell short of meeting three of the eight metrics the state utilizes to monitor increased risk.
The county’s positivity rate reached 9.9% according to the most recent data that reflects virus activity for a seven day period ending Aug. 15.
During that same time the county’s rate of new cases reached 120 per 100,000 people, an increase from 82 the prior week. The county reaches warning level at 50 new cases per 100,000 and this was the fourth week in a row the case numbers increased, in fact they have nearly doubled in the past month.
These two factors, along with a second week of fewer tests performed—506 down from 586 the prior week—are what placed the county at warning level.
Grundy County has witnessed fewer emergency department visits for COVID-19 like illnesses, which is another of the state’s metrics and what contributed to the county being placed on the warning list three weeks ago. At that time the percentage was at 5.5% and last week it was down to 2.8%.
A county enters warning level when two or more COVID-19 risk indicators increase.
Local health officials report the uptick in cases is primarily based in small informal gatherings of family and friends.
Grundy County Health Administrator Michelle Pruim reports the county-level data is intended to be used for local level awareness of each county’s progress and is intended to help local leaders, businesses, health departments, and the public make informed decisions and promote healthy behaviors.
“Individuals, families, and community groups can use this critical data to help inform their choices about personal and family gatherings, as well as activities they choose to do,” Pruim said, noting the data might prompt residents to reconsider attending a family gathering, dining out or perhaps take extra precautions due to personal or family health risks.
Grundy is one of 20 counties currently at warning level and it is one of three in the north central region as outlined in the state’s Restore Illinois.
On Monday, the south suburban region comprised of Will and Kankakee counties reached a positivity rate of 8.3%. The state’s plan mandates a region that exceeds 8% for three consecutive days be subject to additional mitigation measures.
Mitigations take effect today [Wednesday, Aug. 26] in Will and Kankakee counties that rollback indoor dining at restaurants and service at bars, reduce gathering limits to 25 individuals or 25% of room capacity, gaming facilities and casinos are limited to 25% capacity and follow mitigations for bars and restaurants.
The mitigations for the region remain in effect for 14 days for monitoring to determine if additional mitigations are needed or can be relaxed.
On Friday, Aug. 21, the Grundy County Health Department reported the case count had reached 406 individuals—204 males and 202 females—a number that reflects 40 new cases since Aug. 14.
The new cases include 12 individuals under the age of 20, eight in their 20s, six in their 30s, eight in their 40s, three in their 50s, two in their 60s and one female in her 80s.
Since the first case was identified in the county on March 23, 324 of the 406 residents testing positive for the novel coronavirus has completed the recommended isolation period and have been released.
IDPH reports 71 of the county’s total cases have been reported within the 60416 zip code, 188 cases in the 60450 zip code, the 60444 zip code [Mazon] has nine reported cases and 13 cases in the 60424 zip code [Gardner].
County officials report 4,155 residents have been tested for the virus.
As of Monday, the Illinois Department of Public Health [IDPH] was reporting a total of 436 positive cases in the county with 7,954 tests performed.
According to the county, its testing numbers reflect the number of Grundy citizens who have received a COVID-19 test, rather than the total number of tests performed on county residents.
At the start of the week, IDPH reported over 221,790 positive cases with more than 3.7 million tests completed.
For the past four weeks, the U.S. has seen a collective positivity rate decrease, while Illinois’ has increased over that span.
Last week, IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said, “I've heard people say that the numbers aren't that bad, they're only increasing a little, we're better than other states, we don't really need to be that strict. The truth is, we are better than most states, but that's true today, but we are going in the wrong direction.”
Individuals are again reminded to maintain social distancing, wear face coverings even in small group settings with individuals outside of one’s household and continue to practice good hygiene with frequent hand washing.