THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IS ADOPTING NEW FEDERAL GUIDELINES FOR TRACKING COVID-19. 

THE STATE’S COVID DASHBOARD LOOKS A LITTLE DIFFERENT, FOCUSING ON CASE RATES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS TO GET A BETTER PICTURE OF VIRAL ACTIVITY IN EACH COMMUNITY. ACTING PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR DOCTOR AMAAL TOKARS (toe-cars) SAYS THEY HAVE ALSO ADDED NEW TYPES OF DATA TO THE WEBSITE.

CASE POSITIVITY RATES WILL NO LONGER BE POSTED. THE GOAL NOW IS TO FOCUS MORE ON THE SEVERITY IN A PARTICULAR AREA AND STRAIN ON LOCAL HOSPITALS.

THE DASHBOARD, ON THE DEPARTMENT’S WEBSITE, WILL ALSO NOW FEATURE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT VACCINATION RATES AND THE VACCINATION STATUS OF THOSE HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID-19.