Tier 3, 2, 1? Phase 4? How does a region move forward in Illinois

With Illinois seeing a consistent decrease in its COVID-19 positivity rate, all 11 of the state’s health care regions are eligible to move forward out of the Tier 3 mitigations they’ve been in since November.

But how does a region advance, and what does it mean?

There are three metrics for a region to hit in order to advance out of a tier and ultimately back to Phase 4 of the state’s Restore Illinois plan.

First, the regions in Tier 3 must hit these marks to get to Tier 2:

1. A test positivity rate below 12 percent for three consecutive days, as measured by the 7-day rolling average; AND

2. Greater than or equal to 20 percent available staffed ICU and medical/surgical hospital beds for three consecutive days, on a 3-day rolling average; AND

3. A sustained decrease in the number of people in the hospital with COVID-19 for seven out of 10 days, on a 7-day average.

In order to move to Tier 1 mitigations, a region must meet the following metrics:

1. A test positivity rate below 8 percent for three consecutive days, as measured by the 7-day rolling average; AND

2. Greater than or equal to 20 percent available staffed ICU and medical/surgical hospital beds for three consecutive days, on a 3-day rolling average; AND

3. No sustained increase in the number of people in the hospital with COVID-19 for seven out of 10 days, on a 7-day average.

In order to move to Phase 4, a region must meet the following metrics:

1. A test positivity rate less than or equal to 6.5 percent for three consecutive days, as measured by the 7-day rolling average; AND

2. Greater than or equal to 20 percent available staffed ICU and medical/surgical hospital beds for three consecutive days, on a 3-day rolling average; AND

3. No sustained increase in the number of people in the hospital with COVID-19 for seven out of 10 days, on a 7-day average.

What can open up for each region as it advances out of the tiers is lengthy and includes indoor dining, gaming and casinos, fitness classes, youth sports and meetings and gatherings.